UK’s $1 billion AUKUS support request signals strong ongoing US collaboration
The latest foreign military sales request from the UK has implications for the future of the programme and collaboration between the three nations.
US Navy names LCS 29
The US Navy's next Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) has been named as Beloit, the navy announced on 9 October.
The future USS Beloit, LCS 29, will be constructed by Lockheed Martin with Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin.
The 387ft vessel will have a beam length of 57.4ft and will be able to travel at speeds in excess of 40kt. The Freedom-class LCS is a highly manoeuvrable, lethal and adaptable vessel designed to support missions including surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and mine countermeasures.
The navy has accepted delivery of 16 LCS vessels to date. Including recent contract modifications, a total of 32 LCS have been procured with ten ships under construction.
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