Lockheed, DSME partner on MCS

Lockheed Martin and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) have teamed up to target the corvette market with a Multi-mission Combat Ship (MCS) design, the companies announced on 29 April.

The MCS is based on a DSME hull design, and will be positioned to meet the requirements of customers in the international naval market seeking integrated, multi-mission corvettes for coastal protection and regional operations.

The comprehensive teaming agreement will see Lockheed Martin leverage its experience as naval vessel systems developer and integrator, while DSME will draw on its extensive shipbuilding expertise.

Joe North, vice president of littoral ships and systems, Lockheed Martin Mission System and Training, said: ‘Together, we bring not only the best experience, expertise and resources, but also the right dedication and focus to offer coalition navies a multi-mission corvette-sized ship designed to meet future threats.’

Deog-Soo Kim, vice president and the head of naval and special ship business management, DSME, added: ‘This teaming agreement on MCS and strategic cooperation will not only provide our customers with high capability vessels on time, but also further facilitate our two companies’ joint efforts in exploring opportunities on a global scale.

‘Moreover, the Korean government is pursuing ‘new-economic growth activation by defence industry’ as one of the state development agendas and this agreement is a good example of achieving the objective.’