MARINETTE, Wisconsin, the United States (BulgarianMilitary.com) – The U.S. Navy received the Littoral Combat Ship 15 through a delivery by Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM). That was revealed by Lockheed Martin on 6th February 2019, learned BulgarianMilitary.com.

The Littoral Combat Ship 15 (LCS 15) is the future USS Billings.

Billings is the 8th Freedom-variant LCS developed, built and delivered by the industry team led by Lockheed Martin. It will be commissioned this year. The vessel will be homeported at Naval Station Mayport in the U.S. state of Florida, alongside USS Milwaukee (LCS 5), USS Detroit (LCS 7), USS Little Rock (LCS 9), USS Sioux City (LCS 11) and USS Wichita (LCS 13).

Read more: Lockheed Martin, Fincantieri Marinette Marine Will Build LCS 31

Joe DePietro, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Small Combatants and Ship Systems, commented, “We are proud to support the U.S. Navy surface fleet with delivery of another highly lethal and agile littoral combat ship. The Lockheed Martin-led industry team has hit its production and efficiency stride, and we know LCS will fulfil critical missions around the world for many years to come.”

Six ships are in various manufacturing and test phases at FMM. The next ship of the same class, the future USS Indianapolis (LCS 17), will also be delivered in 2019 after completion of trials. Moreover, this spring it will be also started the works on building the future USS Marinette (LCS 25).

Read more: The Littoral Combat Ship 11 of the US Navy Commissioned

Jan Allman, president and CEO of Fincantieri Marinette Marine, said, “Fincantieri Marinette Marine is focused on delivering capable and proven warship to the U.S. Navy. This milestone is a testament to our hot serial production line, and the skilled test and trials collaboration across the entire LCS Freedom team.”

The Freedom-variant LCS features new technology and capability to support current and future missions conducted from deep water to the littorals. It is developed to integrate modular weapons, including unmanned and manned vehicles so that to deliver the important war-fighting capability to the fleet in mine counter measures, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare. The vessel capabilities are continuously evolved on the grounds of rigorous Navy operational testing, sailor feedback and multiple successful fleet deployments.

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Source: Lockheed Martin