Keel Authenticated for U.S. Navy’s Eleventh LCS

Marinette Marine Corporation yesterday held a keel-laying ceremony for the U.S. Navy’s eleventh Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the future USS Sioux City.

Lockheed Martin-led LCS team that includes ship builder Marinette Marine Corporation, a Fincantieri company, naval architect Gibbs & Cox, as well as nearly 900 suppliers in 43 states, including approximately 30 small businesses in Wisconsin and Michigan is building Freedom-class LCSs for the U.S. Navy.

The industry team has delivered two ships with five others under construction and one soon to begin construction. The nation’s first LCS, USS Freedom proved, the ship class is addressing the Navy’s need for an affordable, highly-networked and modular ship unlike any other in the world.

The platform is designed and outfitted with mission systems to conduct a variety of missions including anti-surface, mine and submarine warfare. The next LCS to deploy will be the Freedom-class USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) in 2014.

“We are proud to provide our Sailors with a proven warship that allows them to carry out their missions around the world,” said Dale P. Bennett, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Mission Systems and Training business. “We are working in partnership with the Navy as they build a fleet able to operate forward, stand ready for any challenges, and serve our essential warfighting requirements.”

In keeping with a time-honored tradition, ship sponsor Mrs. Mary Winnefeld authenticated the keel block by having her initials welded.

Sioux City (LCS 11) Keel Laying Video

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lockheedmartin, February 20, 2014