Navy awards contract mods for three more Littoral Combat Ships

The first of class littoral combat ships USS Freedom (LCS 1), left, and USS Independence (LCS 2), maneuver together during an exercise off the coast of Southern California in 2012

SEPTEMBER 18, 2018 —The Navy today awarded modifications to previously awarded Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) contracts for one FY 2018 LCS to Lockheed Martin and two FY 2018 LCSs to Austal USA.

“These contract awards represent an important next step in delivering critical warfighting capability to the Fleet,” said Capt. Mike Taylor, LCS program manager (PMS 501).

The Lockheed Martin Independence-variant ship, which will be built at Fincantieri Marinette Marine’s Marinette, WI, shipyard is the future LCS 29. The two ships to be built at Austal USA’s Mobile, AL, shipyard are the future LCS 32 and LCS 34.

The Navy has accepted delivery of 16 LCSs. Including today’s contract modifications, a total of 32 LCSs have been procured, with 10 ships under construction (LCS 15, 17, 19-26) and six additional ships under contract (LCS 27-30, 32, 34).

The Navy may release a competitive solicitation(s) for additional LCS class ships in fiscal year 2019, and therefore the specific contract award amount for these ships is considered source selection sensitive information.