Nichols Martin
Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette took part in the keel laying ceremony of the 25th designated littoral combat ship in the city serving as the vessel's namesake, marking the start of construction.
The future USS Marinette keel plate now contains the initials of Jennifer Granholm, former Michigan governor and the ship's sponsor, Lockheed said Wednesday.
The ship features a reconfigurable hull, Rolling Airframe Missile launchers, a Mark 110 naval gun, automation technology and a speed of over 40 knots.
"LCS is minimally manned, so the U.S. Navy can efficiently project presence around the world," said Joe DePietro, vice president and general manager of small combatants and ship systems at Lockheed.
Marinette City houses the construction of Freedom-variant LCS units. The ship is the first to carry the Wisconsin city's name.
