Navy Awards Another LCS to Lockheed Martin

The U.S. Navy contracted with Lockheed Martin for the third Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The Navy Times writes that the USS Fort Worth (LCS-3) will be constructed by Marinette Marine Corp. in Wisconsin. The LCS classes’ first two ships were built separately by Lockheed and Northrop Grumman. Each company built a different design. The Navy has decided that the third will be to the Lockheed design of a single hull. The Northrop ship is a catamaran. The ships are outfitted similarly with weapon and sensor systems. The Navy canceled the second ship from both companies in 2006 due to the fact that costs had increased well beyond the intended price. This contract is a firm fixed price one that hopefully will constrain costs. Earlier this month the Navy had awarded a contract to Marrinette Marine to prepare of LCS construction in order to preserve the capability of the yard to support work if required. This contract fulfills the promise of the first to build that ship. The Navy currently has three major ship building contracts — the new aircraft carrier, DDG-100 and the LCS. The DDG and LCS contracts face opposition due to the cost growth and the belief that they may not meet the needs of the current operations against terror groups. It would not be surprising for the Obama administration to announce a major restructuring of Naval shipbuilding in the 2010 budget.