Navy Selects Lockheed as Future Frigate’s Combat Systems Integrator

MOORESTOWN,
N.J. — The U.S. Navy has selected Lockheed Martin as the combat system ship integration
and test agent for the Navy’s future Guided Missile Frigate ship program, the
FFG(X), the company said in a July 19 release.

The combat
system ship integration and test contract will ensure the overall integration
of the combat system elements into the FFG(X) design and validate the
installation through the completion of waterfront testing. The 10-year contract
will consist of one base year and nine option years’ worth up to $125 million.

“The U.S.
Navy will experience substantial efficiency by utilizing the existing
processes, tools and experience of the Lockheed Martin ship integration and
test team,” said Chris Minster, program director of Lockheed Martin Surface
Navy Integration Systems. “While minimizing ship impact and cost, our ship integration
and test team will enable the successful integration of the combat system
elements into the future frigate ship design.”

Lockheed has
more than 40 years of ship integration and test experience, including Aegis
Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile
destroyers.

Lockheed Martin has delivered
and integrated Aegis and Aegis-based products on 126 platforms in eight
nations, with an additional 23 under construction or planned. Aegis and
Aegis-derived systems are in service in U.S. Navy cruisers, destroyers, littoral
combat ships, U.S. Coast Guard national security cutters and Aegis ashore
sites. The navies of Japan, Spain, Norway, the Republic of Korea and Australia
have also chosen Aegis to protect their nations.