Lockheed LCS team secures contract

The US Navy's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme has taken another step forward, granting its first ship construction contract. The $188.2 million deal, announced on 15 December, stipulates that a team lead by Lockheed Martin will build the first LCS Flight 0 to be delivered at the end of 2006. Construction of the ship - a semi-planing steel monohull - will begin at team partner Marinette Marine's facilities in early 2005. A second team headed by General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works will build an LCS ship using a different design based on a trimaran from commercial fast ferries. That contract is not expected to commence until Fiscal Year 2006. The teams will each build up to two LCS Flight 0 prototypes, depending on available funding. A single design will be selected in 2007 to build the next version of LCS, called Flight 1, although that contract could be opened to other bidders as well, senior navy officials have said. The navy has put the LCS on a rapid acquisition path, saying its intended missions to counter enemy naval mines, diesel-electric submarines and fast surface craft are vital capabilities needed as soon as possible. The service is also exploring the use of the LCS in homeland defence roles, although those requirements are yet to be defined. © 2005 Jane's Information Group. All rights reserved.