. Military Space News .
First US Littoral Combat Ship Powers Up

Freedom (LCS 1), starboard view. Photo courtesy Lockheed Martin.
by Staff Writers
Marinette WI (SPX) Mar 18, 2008
The nation's first Littoral Combat Ship, Freedom (LCS 1), has successfully completed another testing milestone with the "light off" and test of the new warship's electric plant. The first ship in its class, the agile, 377-foot Freedom was designed and built by a Lockheed Martin-led industry team to assist the U.S. Navy in future littoral - or close-to-shore - operations.

The recent tests aboard Freedom included the light off - or initial operation - of the ship's four 750-kilowatt Fincantieri Isotta Fraschini diesel generators and testing of its three-megawatt electrical power plant. The testing of the generators involved loading each generator to its full-power capacity.

Following successful completion of this step, further testing included synchronizing - or "paralleling" in shipbuilding terms - the generators to attain the power levels required to support Freedom's operations at sea. In addition, the power quality was closely evaluated to ensure all ship systems and sensors requiring electrical power could operate effectively.

This marks a significant milestone for Freedom as her electric plant is completely functional and able to support all tests, evaluations and operations at sea.

Testing and outfitting of Freedom continues dockside at Marinette Marine. Freedom will be delivered to the U.S. Navy in 2008 and will be homeported inSan Diego.

The Lockheed Martin team's design for LCS is a survivable, semi-planing steel monohull that provides outstanding maneuverability with proven sea-keeping characteristics to support launch and recovery operations, mission execution and optimum crew comfort.

Team members also includes naval architect Gibbs and Cox, ship builders Marinette Marine, a subsidiary of The Manitowoc Company, and Bollinger Shipyards, as well as best-of-industry domestic and international teammates to provide a flexible, low-risk war fighting solution.

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Northrop Grumman Mine Detection Systems Earns Go-Ahead
Melbourne FL (SPX) Mar 11, 2008
Northrop Grumman Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) has received approval for low-rate initial production (LRIP) Lot 2 from the U.S. Navy. The company will produce three ALMDS units for approximately $25 million under the contract. It is anticipated that the company will produce 25 units over the next five years when the program enters full rate production in 2010. There is also potential for international sales.







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