Lockheed lays keel for 13th US LCS

An industry team led by Lockheed Martin has laid the keel for the 13th US Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), which will be named USS Wichita, the company announced on 9 February.

The keel-laying ceremony took place at Marinette Marine Corporation in Wisconsin. Wichita is a flexible Freedom-variant LCS that will feature systems to conduct a number of missions, including mine countermeasures, anti-surface warfare and submarine warfare. The Lockheed Martin-led industry team has delivered two ships so far and is currently constructing or testing six others.

Joe North, vice president, littoral ships and systems, Lockheed Martin, said: 'This ship class and the industry team behind it can adapt to meet the navy's most challenging missions and provide a powerful, modular platform.'

He added: 'We have leveraged best practices and incorporated improvements based on sailors’ feedback to ensure the fleet is prepared and empowered to fight, operate and support the ship in the littorals and open seas worldwide.'

The LCS industry team includes Marinette Marine, Gibbs & Cox and close to 900 other suppliers.