FME Earns LCS Supplier of the Year Award
Fairbanks Morse Engine (FME) announced it has been named the 2015 Lockheed Martin Missions Systems and Training Supplier of the year for Ship and Aviation Systems during its annual Supplier Summit, held in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. on March 10, 2016.
The award honors FME for its product delivery and performance, technical support, and commitment to affordability, the company said. As an industry partner to Lockheed Martin, FME said it is committed to a strong and ongoing focus in the areas of continuous improvement and cost competitiveness to provide the solutions necessary to meet the U.S. Navy’s needs in support of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program.
“Receiving this award from Lockheed Martin is a great honor for Fairbanks Morse Engine. The name of the class is Freedom and as we think about our relationship with Lockheed Martin and the LCS program, we think about it as it relates to freedom. We believe everyone has an absolute right to freedom and this program supports that,” said Marvin Riley, president of Fairbanks Morse Engine.
FME manufactures the main propulsion diesel engines for the Freedom-variant of the LCS. A fast, maneuverable surface combatant, the LCS provides warfighting capabilities and operational flexibility for focused missions including mine-clearing, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.
The Lockheed Martin-led industry team includes Wisconsin-based shipbuilder Fincantieri Marinette Marine and has delivered three Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ships to the U.S. Navy. The main propulsion engines for USS Freedom, USS Fort Worth and USS Milwaukee were supplied by FME.
Working with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard to design, engineer and manufacturer diesel engines for marine propulsion and ship power generation since the 1920’s, FME has a strong history and extensive knowledge of defense marine requirements. Manufacturing its products in Beloit, Wisc., FME was also recognized for delivering and installing its products while continuing to meet schedules at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard.