Future US Navy frigates strengthened by Lockheed Martin integration and test experience.

The U.S. Navy selected Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) as the Combat System Ship Integration & Test agent for the Navy’s future Guided Missile Frigate (FFG(X)) ship program.

 The FFG(X) contenders as seen at SNA 2018 (note: HII Patrol Frigate on the bottom right was NOT on display at the show).

The Combat System Ship Integration & Test contract will ensure the overall integration of the combat system elements into the Frigate ship design and validate the installation through the completion of waterfront testing. The 10-year contract will consist of one base year and nine option years’ worth up to $125 million.

“The U.S. Navy will experience substantial efficiency by utilizing the existing processes, tools, and experience of the Lockheed Martin ship integration and test team,” said Chris Minster, Program Director, Lockheed Martin Surface Navy Integration Systems. “While minimizing ship impact and cost, our Ship Integration & Test team will enable the successful integration of the combat system elements into the future frigate ship design.”

As the warfighter’s needs change, Lockheed Martin has continuously evolved to quickly provide innovative and affordable capabilities to the fleet. Lockheed Martin has over 40 years of ship integration and test experience including Aegis Ticonderoga class guided missile cruisers and Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers.

As the Navy’s trusted Combat System Engineering Agent (CSEA), Lockheed Martin has successfully delivered and integrated Aegis and Aegis-based products on 126 platforms in eight nations, with an additional 23 under construction or planned. Aegis and Aegis-derived systems are in service in U.S. Navy cruisers, destroyers, Littoral Combat Ships, Coast Guard National Security Cutters and Aegis Ashore sites. The navies of Japan, Spain, Norway, the Republic of Korea, and Australia have also chosen Aegis to protect their nations.