Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine have delivered the future USS Little Rock (LCS 9) to the US Navy.
The future USS Little Rock, the fifth Freedom-variant LCS built by Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine, is scheduled to be commissioned in Buffalo later this year and become the first US Navy ship to be commissioned next to her decommissioned namesake.
LCS 9 completed acceptance trials last month with the highest score of any Freedom-variant LCS to date, earning a “clean sweep.” During sea trials, the industry team also successfully demonstrated performance improvements, which will be incorporated into all future Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ships.
The vessel takes it name from the patriotic and hardworking citizens of Little Rock and will be the second US Navy ship to bear the name of Arkansas’ largest city.
Her homeport will be Naval Station Mayport, where she’ll join USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) and USS Detroit (LCS 7).
The Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine team is currently in full-rate production of the Freedom-variant of the LCS, and so far has delivered five ships to the US Navy. There are seven ships in various stages of construction at Fincantieri Marinette Marine, with one more in long-lead production.
Joe DePietro, Vice President of small surface combatants and ship systems at Lockheed Martin said: “We look forward to the day the future USS Little Rock joins the fleet. Her superb sea trials performance highlights the success of the production and performance improvements achieved as a result of serial production
“This milestone would not have been possible without the extraordinary contributions of all Freedom-variant LCS teammates.”
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