LCS Program Team Announced

Trumpeting the strength of combining leaders in systems engineering, mid-market shipbuilding and naval architecture, officials from Lockheed Martin, Gibbs & Cox, Bollinger Shipyards and Marinette Marine today announced a teaming effort to capture the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship program. The Navy considers LCS its most transformational effort and number one budget priority. "In the process of creating this team, we carefully considered all of the innovative and unique requirements the Navy needs in this new ship," said Fred Moosally, president of Lockheed Martin's Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems. "Our team harnesses world class expertise in naval architecture, LCS-sized ship construction, systems engineering and program management to help the Navy fill its littoral warfare needs." Lockheed Martin will be the prime contractor, with Gibbs & Cox, Bollinger Shipyards and Marinette Marine sharing significant roles as principal team members. Gibbs & Cox is a leading naval architectural and marine engineering firm, and world-renowned designer of surface combatants for the U.S. and international navies. Gibbs & Cox will be the team's platform design authority, naval architect and platform systems integrator. Bollinger Shipyards and Marinette Marine both share long lists of shipbuilding successes. As mid-market shipbuilders, their construction work serves smaller classes of ships and vessels, similar to the Navy's size requirements for LCS. In addition, both ship builders have significant experience serving commercial markets, where price, design, quality and on- time delivery are the primary measures for winning new customers. "The Littoral Combat Ship is a perfect fit for us," said Mike Ellis, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Bollinger Shipyards. "Our entire business is building and servicing mid-size vessels for our government and commercial markets. We have a strong track record of meeting our customers' needs in all areas from innovative design, quality workmanship and on time delivery." Marinette Marine, with its shipyard facilities in Marinette, Wisc., is a leading shipbuilder serving the government, military and commercial customers throughout the maritime industry. Its shipbuilding portfolio includes U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers and buoy tenders, U.S. Navy mine countermeasure vessels and ocean tugs, as well as ferries, dredges and tugs. "Many of our programs involve complex maritime solutions, and we deliver great ships on time, on or below budget," said Dennis McCloskey, president of Manitowoc Marine. "We're excited to bring our expertise and record of results to the Navy's LCS program." Responsibilities for the two shipyards include production and cost engineering, production design and platform production. In addition to serving as the overall prime, Lockheed Martin will be the systems and modularity architect, hullform developer and lead the overall program management and cost analysis work. "This team brings the right talents to the Navy's service," said Moosally. "However, we will continue to build our team to bring in core and specialty expertise from around the world -- this program is a top priority for the Navy, and we will make sure they are successful."