DTN News: Nation’s First Littoral Combat Ship Departs For Maiden Deployment

DTN News: Nation’s First Littoral Combat Ship Departs For Maiden Deployment *Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin (NSI News Source Info) MAYPORT, FL, - February 17, 2010: The nation’s first Littoral Combat Ship, USS Freedom (LCS 1), departed from Naval Station Mayport, FL, yesterday Feb. 16 for its maiden deployment, approximately two years ahead of schedule.Littoral Combat Ship - USS Freedom (LCS 1) departed from Naval Station Mayport, FL, Feb. 16 for its maiden deployment. Photo courtesy U.S. Navy. The agile 378-foot USS Freedom, designed and built by a Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]-led industry team, will deploy to the Southern Command area of responsibility. “We congratulate the USS Freedom and her crew on their maiden deployment as this new class of Littoral Combat Ships begins to fulfill important global security missions,” said Lockheed Martin Chairman and CEO Bob Stevens. “Her quality and proven performance enabled Freedom’s deployment two years ahead of schedule, a significant accomplishment in naval shipbuilding. As we compete to build additional ships for the U.S. Navy, the Lockheed Martin team remains focused on delivering an affordable surface combatant with the flexibility to provide security close to shore and on the open seas.” USS Freedom (LCS 1) is the first of 55 the Navy plans for a new class of ships designed to operate in coastal waters. The ship’s capabilities have been demonstrated since delivered to the Navy in 2008. Freedom has sailed more than 10,000 nm, successfully completed sea trials and demonstrated performance of combat, communications and other critical systems. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion. Media Contact at Lockheed Martin: Kim Martinez, (202) 863-3491; e-mail: kimberly.martinez@lmco.com Lockheed Martin Related News February 16, 2010 Lockheed Martin Center For Leadership Excellence Earns Prestigious Green Building Certification February 16, 2010 Second Missile Warning Satellite Achieves Key Testing Milestone At Lockheed Martin February 16, 2010 Nation’s First Littoral Combat Ship Departs for Maiden Deployment February 16, 2010 Lockheed Martin Awarded $49.5 Million TADS/PNVS AND M-TADS/PNVS Support Contract February 15, 2010 Lockheed Martin Inspires Future Science and Engineering Leaders During National Engineers Week In Central Florida February 15, 2010 Lockheed Martin Hosts Second Annual Women in Engineering Day in Riviera Beach February 12, 2010 Lockheed Martin-Built System Aims Laser In Successful Lethal Demonstration Against Ballistic Missile Target February 11, 2010 Lockheed Martin-built Instruments Launched on NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory February 10, 2010 Lockheed Martin Awarded $160 Million for Continued Support of U.S. Navy Land-based Aegis Test Facility