USS Independence. (Photo: USN)
The US Naval Surface Warfare Center has awarded General Dynamics Mission Systems a $13.09 million sole-source contract to support the Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship.
General Dynamics will deliver in-service engineering and lifecycle support for the integrated combat management system and its interfaces, C5I elements, software applications and networking environment hardware programme services.
The contract includes options that, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the deal to $79.22 million.
Work will be performed in four US locations and Singapore for completion by May 2022 or May 2026 if all options are exercised.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, twelve Austal-built Independence-class LCS vessels have been delivered to the USN out of 19 on order.
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The platforms will be tested in multiple missions to define performance requirements for a coming acquisition programme.
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The first Arctic Security Cutter will be built by Rauma Marine Constructions to be deployed in the US Arctic waters.
The effort to provide the US Navy with Trump-class battleships might face financial, production and doctrinal obstacles.
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