The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program was initiated in February 2002 in the efforts to reduce time to manufacture, plan, and assemble the ship line. Constructed in Marinette, Wisconsin, the USS Freedom, also known as LCS 1, was made by Lockheed Martin. The finished product was delivered on September 18, 2008. Following that was the LCS 2 and LCS 4, which consisted of vessels delivered by Bath Iron Works and Austal USA. This was headed by the Independence-variant team, whereas the LCS 1 was led by the Freedom-variant team. General Dynamics was responsible for the construction of the LCS 4. Designed to meet the needs of rough coastal waters and urgent mission assignments, the Littoral Combat Ship is growing in popularity within the industry. Read more >>

Boeing has delivered the first modernized RTCASS-D system to the United States Navy and US Marine Corps. Read more >>

The cornerstone of the U.S. amphibious program is the Marine & Land Systems Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC).  The LCAC vehicles are nearing the end of their service lives. The Ship to Shore Connector is set to replace the LCAC. However, delivery of the first SCC isn’t scheduled until 2017. The oldest LCACs are set for retirement this year 2015. Therefore, the Navy has been forced to exercise their contract option for delivery of two LCACs. Read more >>

Oshkosh Defense has begun the production and deployment phase of their aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF) vehicle, the United States Marine Corps’ P-19R. Read more >>

In an April 2015 announcement, the U.S. Navy awarded Astronics Test Systems (ATS) a $36.4 million contract for five years of production. ATS is expected to produce, test, and deliver the Radio Frequency Distribution and Control System (RFDACS) through the year of 2020. This subsystem is used for a submarine radio room, creating routing signals between antenna systems. Program manager of this project Peter J. Gundermann stated, “The RFDACS is deployed on all active Virginia-class and Los Angeles-class submarines and designated for all future Virginia-class submarines. This follow-on production award is a testament to the quality and reliability of the complex RF Subsystem we delivered to the U.S. Navy. We are pleased to have been selected again to support the men and women of our Naval Forces in meeting their mission." Read more >>