The Lockheed Martin-led industry team today launched the nation’s third Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), Fort Worth, at the Marinette Marine shipyard in Wisconsin.
The 389-foot Fort Worth was launched into the Menominee River. Just prior to its launch, the ship’s sponsor, Congresswoman Kay Granger of Texas, christened Fort Worth with the traditional smashing of a champagne bottle across the ship’s bow.
In March 2009, the U.S. Navy awarded the Lockheed Martin-led industry team a contract to construct Fort Worth. Only 20 months later, the ship is 80 percent complete. Now formally christened and launched, Fort Worth will continue to undergo outfitting and testing at Marinette Marine before delivery to the Navy in 2012.
“It is an incredibly rewarding experience to see Fort Worth launch into the water – on time and on budget,” said Orlando Carvalho, president of Lockheed Martin’s Mission Systems and Sensors business. “The team’s strong performance and hard work in bringing Fort Worth to this point illustrates our ability to meet the Navy’s need for a class of affordable, multi-mission combatants.”
Prior to constructing Fort Worth, the Lockheed Martin-led team designed and constructed the nation’s first LCS, USS Freedom, which was deployed in February 2010, two years ahead of schedule. Additionally, this summer the ship participated in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2010, where it interacted with international Navies and successfully completed a series of operational exercises, including a live-fire exercise with the MK-110 57mm gun, the launch of a Rolling Airframe Missile, and a maritime security exercise.
In addition to Marinette Marine Corporation, a Fincantieri company, the Lockheed Martin-led team for LCS 3 includes naval architect Gibbs & Cox as well as best-of-industry domestic and international companies.
Learn more about LCS 3 and view photos of the construction.
View public videos capturing the launch:
[Source: Lockheed Martin]
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