Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) have delivered the fifth Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) to the US Navy, the company announced on 25 September.
The future USS Little Rock is scheduled to be commissioned in Buffalo, US, later this year.
The ship completed acceptance trials last month. During sea trials, the industry team also successfully demonstrated performance improvements which will be integrated into all future Freedom-variant LCS.
Jan Allman, president and CEO, FMM, said: ‘Today's important milestone for LCS 9 was made possible by the investment and improvements made to our serial production line, which allowed us to realise our vision for a full flex shipyard.
‘FMM shipbuilders are proud to deliver this proven warship, and we look forward to working with the US Navy to continue building these highly capable ships for the fleet.’
The Lockheed Martin and FMM team is currently in full-rate production of the Freedom-variant of the LCS, and has delivered five ships to the US Navy to date. There are seven ships in various stages of construction at FMM, with one more in long-lead production.
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