Matthew Nelson
A Lockheed Martin-led industry team launched the U.S. Navy‘s 19th littoral combat ship into the Menominee River in Wisconsin during a ceremony held Saturday.
Barbara Broadhurst Taylor, the ship’s sponsor and daughter of a decorated pilot during World War II, led the USS St. Louis christening at a Fincantieri Marinette Marine-owned shipyard before the launch, Lockheed said Saturday.
“LCS 19 is the second ship we’ve christened and launched this year,” said Joe DePietro, vice president and general manager of Lockheed’s small combatants and ship systems business.
DePietro added the company has completed trials on three other ships and delivered an additional two vessels to the military service.
An LCS is designed to travel at a speed of more than 40 knots and support anti-submarine combat, surface warfare and mine countermeasure missions.
Lockheed noted shipbuilding personnel at the Fincantieri facility are constructing and testing seven LCS units.
