Keel laid for future USS Marinette
Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine have laid the keel for the US Navy’s 13th Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS 25), the future USS Marinette, Lockheed Martin announced on 27 March.
The vessel has a flexible design with 40% of its hull being easily reconfigurable. Equipped with rolling airframe missiles and a mark 110 gun, the vessel is capable of firing 220 rounds per minute. The vessel can achieve a maximum speed of 40kt and can to be outfitted with additional and evolved capabilities, including over-the-horizon missiles and advanced EW systems and radars.
Joe DePietro, vice president and general manager of small combatants and ship systems, Lockheed Martin, said: ‘There is no other class of ship that delivers this level of flexibility for future missions. LCS is minimally manned, so the US Navy can efficiently project presence around the world. It really is a remarkable ship, and our team is so proud to begin construction on the future USS Marinette for the navy.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
Australian industry programme builds pipeline for Virginia-class sustainment
Australian businesses can now bid to support Virginia-class submarine sustainment in Western Australia, as momentum around the Henderson Defence Precinct also builds.
-
South Korea, Japan and Turkey vie for US shipbuilding access in future frigate contest
Washington’s search for a foreign-built frigate could hand South Korea, Japan and Turkey a larger prize than a double-hull order: a foothold inside the US shipbuilding industrial base.
-
Japan’s FY2027 budget bets on stand-off systems to offset demographic decline
Japan’s FY2027 defence budget backs stand-off strike, a 17-aircraft MQ-9B buy and a declared bid to lead the world in uncrewed maritime assets, alongside new frigates, submarines and support ships.
-
Russia’s uncrewed boat portfolio hints at future naval demand
Ukrainian intelligence has catalogued more than 20 Russian uncrewed surface vessels, revealing a portfolio weighted towards mine warfare and logistics, with implications for Western naval investment.
-
Ukraine’s new long-range 12m autonomous vessel can deploy other drones
Ukraine’s UForce unveiled the MV11 uncrewed surface vessel, designed to launch and support other naval drones at sea, fuelling debate over the future of autonomous maritime task groups.