Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine have successfully completed acceptance trials on the US Navy’s future Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) USS Little Rock.
USS Little Rock is the fifth Freedom-variant LCS built by Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine.
The five-day trials, conducted in port and at sea by the US Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey, signify the last major milestone before the ship's delivery.
During the trials, the navy conducted comprehensive tests of the LCS to demonstrate the performance of the propulsion plant, ship handling and auxiliary systems.
The team is currently in full-rate production of the Freedom-variant of the LCS and has delivered four ships to the US Navy to date. The future USS Little Rock is one of eight ships in various stages of construction at Fincantieri Marinette Marine, with one more in long-lead production.
Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine are now preparing Little Rock for delivery in the coming weeks. The ship will be commissioned later this year in Buffalo, New York.
The contract was awarded to HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division and General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB). As well as for the building of the boats, contract money will also go towards improving productivity at the shipyards, workforce support and other investment.
The approved purchase is for Tomahawk Block IV and Block V missiles, control systems, telemetry missiles and communication and broadcast systems.
The Philippine Navy is fast-tracking its maritime modernisation with new warships, unmanned platforms, and international shipbuilding partnerships to bolster its regional deterrence posture.
Taiwan is strengthening its deterrence against the PLA through an asymmetric arsenal that includes fast mine-laying vessels and domestically developed UAVs.
L3Harris is targeting European naval modernisation with new uncrewed surface vessels, SATCOM partnerships, and regional investments including defence exercises and facility openings.
In an exclusive interview with Shephard, DSTA chief Ng Chad-son outlines how the agency is reshaping defence tech development through deeper collaboration with industry partners, from AI-enhanced radar to smart naval munitions.
Connect with us on socials
