Following the decision by Lockheed Martin to withdraw from the US Navy’s FFG(X) process, the company will focus its efforts on the programme’s future combat systems, while also working to build up the capabilities of the Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) (pictured) on which its offering was designed.
On 29 May, USNI News reported the company’s intention to remove itself from the competition.
In February 2018, the navy awarded 16-month conceptual design contracts, valued at $15 million each, for the frigate to five companies: Austal USA, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Lockheed Martin and Marinette