MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ) – Lockheed Martin has decided not to pursue a contract to build frigates for the U.S. Navy.
That move will affect Fincantieri Marinette Marine, but doesn’t leave it out of the bidding entirely.
The Navy currently contracts with Austal and Lockheed Martin to build the littoral combat ships, with Lockheed Martin partnering with Marinette Marine for its half of the fleet.
According to the Navy, they wish to transition from the shallow-water LCS to the more heavily-armored frigate design.
It selected designs earlier this year from five different vendors to move forward in the process.
One of those was from Lockheed Martin, but now, they are dropping out.
“After careful review, we have decided to focus our attention on the FFG(X) combat system, delivering Lockheed Martin technologies such as the Aegis-derived weapon system, MK 41 Vertical Launching System, anti-submarine warfare processing, and advanced electronic warfare. We will continue to serve as a shipbuilder for the U.S. Navy, and we’re exploring opportunities including unmanned surface vessels and the large surface combatant,” Lockheed Martin said in a statement.
The decision means Marinette Marine will not be building frigates as a subcontractor of Lockheed Martin, but the selection of Fincantieri as one of those five finalists means Marinette Marine could still land the work.
The company says that Lockheed Martin is committed to working with Fincantieri, and would provide weapons and other systems as part of that bid.
A choice of contractor is expected next year.
