The nation's first Littoral Combat Ship, Freedom (LCS 1), has successfully completed another testing milestone with the "light off" and test of the new warship's electric plant. The first ship in its class, the agile, 377-foot Freedom was designed and built by a Lockheed Martin -led industry team to assist the U.S. Navy in future littoral -- or close-to-shore -- operations.

The recent tests aboard Freedom included the light off -- or initial operation -- of the ship's four 750-kilowatt Fincantieri Isotta Fraschini diesel generators and testing of its three-megawatt electrical power plant. The testing of the generators involved loading each generator to its full- power capacity. Following successful completion of this step, further testing included synchronizing -- or "paralleling" in shipbuilding terms -- the generators to attain the power levels required to support Freedom's operations at sea. In addition, the power quality was closely evaluated to ensure all ship systems and sensors requiring electrical power could operate effectively. This marks a significant milestone for Freedom as her electric plant is completely functional and able to support all tests, evaluations and operations at sea.

Testing and outfitting of Freedom continues dockside at Marinette Marine. Freedom will be delivered to the U.S. Navy in 2008 and will be homeported in San Diego.

The Lockheed Martin team's design for LCS is a survivable, semi-planing steel monohull that provides outstanding maneuverability with proven sea- keeping characteristics to support launch and recovery operations, mission execution and optimum crew comfort. Team members also includes naval architect Gibbs & Cox, ship builders 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 flexible, low- risk war fighting solution.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin