Marinette, Wis., Feb. 29, 2020 – Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) 23, the future USS Cooperstown, completed the next significant production milestone when ship sponsor Alba Tull christened the ship by breaking a champagne bottle across the hull in a ceremony in Marinette, Wisconsin. Prior to today’s christening, the Lockheed Martin-led (NYSE: LMT) team launched the ship into the water on Jan. 19. LCS 23 is slated to begin sea trials later this year.

“The versatility, speed and lethality of the LCS make it a critical tool to help sailors achieve their missions,” said Joe DePietro, Lockheed Martin vice president of small combatants and ship systems. “Today’s christening brings the USS Cooperstown one step closer to joining a capable fleet of ships supporting Navy missions in a multitude of ways.”

To date, four Freedom-variant LCS have deployed to support U.S. Navy presence and peacekeeping missions. In the latest of these deployments, USS Little Rock (LCS 9) deployed in February 2020 to support operations in the U.S. Southern Command Area of Responsibility.

In total, there are more than 500,000 nautical miles under the keel of Freedom-variant LCS. The ship delivers advanced capability in anti-submarine, surface and mine countermeasure missions, and was designed to evolve with the changing security environment. As we see an increase in near-peer competition from large nation states, Lockheed Martin is partnering with the Navy to evolve LCS to meet these threats. Targeted upgrades are already underway with naval strike missiles being installed in support of upcoming deployments. Future installs of improved electronic warfare and decoy launching systems are under development. 

“I am honored to serve as the sponsor for the next-generation ship Cooperstown,” said Tull. “The ship’s design and capabilities will keep our sailors safe as they carry out important missions to protect our nation and allied nations around the world.”

“Christening the 12th Freedom-variant LCS at our shipyard is a testament to the hard work and expertise of the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipbuilders,” said Jan Allman, Fincantieri Marinette Marine CEO. “It also is a reflection of our strong partnership with the U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin and the capabilities of Team Freedom.”

Photos and videos are available at the below links:

• Christening photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143371902@N04/sets/72157713307251958
• Launch photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143371902@N04/albums/72157712726676112
• Highlight video: https://vimeo.com/394674876
• B-roll video: https://vimeo.com/394673384

For additional information on LCS, visit our website: www.lockheedmartin.com/lcs.

About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 110,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

About Fincantieri Marinette Marine
Fincantieri is the leading western shipbuilder with a rich history dating back more than 230 years, and a track record of building more than 7,000 ships. Fincantieri Marine Group is the American subsidiary of Fincantieri, and operates three Great Lakes Shipyards: Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, and Fincantieri ACE Marine. Fincantieri Marine Group's more than 2,100 steelworkers, craftsman, engineers and technicians in the United States specialize in the design, construction and maintenance of merchant ships and government vessels, including for the United States Navy and Coast Guard.