Navy Awards Lockheed Martin Contract for LCS 31

ARLINGTON, Va. — Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded to the Lockheed Martin LCS team a fixed-price, incentive-fee contract for an additional littoral combat ship, LCS 31, the company said in a release.

LCS 31 will be built in Marinette, Wisconsin, at teammate Fincantieri Marinette Marine’s (FMM’s) shipyard. The ship will be the 16th Freedom-variant LCS ordered by the U.S. Navy to date.

“The team will leverage capital investment and improvement in the shipyard and efficiencies created with serial production to maintain high quality at an affordable cost,” said JoAnn Grbach, senior manager, Naval Programs Communications, Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems. “Today, there are seven ships in various stages of construction. The Navy just commissioned LCS 13 (Wichita) and we’re preparing to lay the keel for LCS 25 (Marinette).

“We are excited to continue our partnership with the U.S. Navy and FMM to build and deliver capable ships to the fleet,” said Joe DePietro, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin Small Combatants and Ship Systems. “With the Freedom variant in serial production, we continue to enhance efficiency and incorporate capability while maintaining ship and program affordability.”

The value of the contract was not released by the Navy yet because of ongoing competition.