Fiscal 2015 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $13,148,817 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The U.S. Navy’s Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity for this award.

The Freedom-class littoral combat ship program encompasses two classes of the littoral combat ship: a fast maneuverable ship prototype developed by Lockheed Martin as “prime contractor” and by Fincantieri (project) through the U.S. Navy’s littoral combat ship program office. The U.S. Navy’s littoral combat ships are designed for operations close to shore and have a length of 377 feet (115 meters), displaces 3,500 metric tons (3,400 long tons), and can achieve speeds of up to 47 knots (87 km/h; 54 mph).

Lockheed Martin Freedom-class littoral combat ship program:The design incorporates a large, reconfigurable seaframe to allow rapid interchange of mission modules (mission packages) for surface warfare, mine countermeasures, and anti-submarine warfare, and a flight deck for operating an H-60 helicopter, launch and recovery of surface connectors (unmanned and manned), and aviation facilities for embarkation of aviation facilities in support of surface and mine countermeasures mission packages. The flight deck has two ways to launch and recover various manned and unmanned aircraft: a stern ramp and a starboard-side door near the waterline. The core crew is 40 sailors, augmented by a crew of up to 75. Automation allows a reduced crew, which can result in lower operating costs. The ship has two ways to launch and recover various manned and unmanned vehicle craft: a stern ramp and a starboard-side door near the waterline. Atop the aft deck is a rededicated crew, which greatly reduces operating costs, but workloads continue to be “grueling.”

During testing of the class lead, two ships’ companies will rotate through the ship’s complement in four-month assignments. DurinTesting of the class lead ship, two ships’ companies will rotate through the ship’s complement in four-month assignments.