UK’s Fleet Solid Support ship programme deemed on track despite steel supply concerns
Shipbuilders are saying the programme is going ahead on time as the government estimates 7.7 million tonnes of steel are needed for 2026 infrastructure projects.
US Navy receives future USS Billings
The US Navy accepted delivery of its eighth Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the future USS Billings, at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin on 1 February.
The ship will be commissioned later in 2019.
LCS is a manoeuvrable, lethal and adaptable ship designed to support the US Navy’s mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare missions.
The LCS class consists of two variants, the Freedom variant and the Independence variant, designed and built by Lockheed Martin and Austal USA, respectively.
In 2018, five LCSs were delivered to the fleet, and three are scheduled for delivery in 2019. The future USS Billings is the 17th LCS delivered to the navy.
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