The Lockheed Martin team cut steel for the nation's first Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) early this month, marking the start of fabrication at Marinette Marine in Marinette. The team will deliver the first LCS to the U.S. Navy in late 2006.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050208/PHTU007 )

The team was authorized to move to the construction phase after passing a Production Readiness Review on Jan. 14, demonstrating the team's readiness to begin construction, based on design detail, personnel and material. During the review, the team also demonstrated an integrated program management approach to ensure a seamless transition from design to construction for on-time and on-budget delivery.

The Lockheed Martin team design, a proven semi-planing steel monohull, provides outstanding agility and high-speed maneuverability with known seakeeping characteristics to support launch and recovery operations, mission execution and optimum crew comfort. The Lockheed Martin-led team includes naval architect Gibbs & Cox, shipbuilders Marinette Marine, a subsidiary of The Manitowoc Company, Inc. , and Bollinger Shipyards, as well as best-of-industry domestic and international teammates to provide a low-risk, affordable LCS solution.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services.

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin