NAVY TELLS COLLINS BATH IRON WORKS IS FINALIST FOR LCS SHIP CONTRACT

WASHINGTON, DC -- US Navy officials today notified Senator Susan Collins, Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, that a team led by Bath Iron Works has secured one of three $10 million contracts for preliminary design of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). Early next year, the Navy will conduct another competition for detailed design and construction of the initial ship. The other teams receiving these contracts are led by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.

The LCS will be a fast and maneuverable vessel that will operate in areas close to shore. It will perform a variety of missions to deal with threats posed by mines, submarines, and other surface vessels. The development of LCS has been a top priority for the Navy, and the first ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2007. Bath Iron Works leads a team that includes BAE Systems, and Austal, a ship builder based in Alabama. Earlier this month, Senator Collins discussed the importance of the LCS program with the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Vern Clark. In addition, the Senate Armed Services Committee, added additional funds for the LCS program in the Senate version of the Fiscal Year 2004 National Defense Authorization Act.

Following notification from the Navy, Senator Collins spoke to the Dugan Shipway, the President of Bath Iron Works and released this statement:

"This is welcome and excellent news. The Littoral Combat Ship is a critical component of the next generation of ships. Long-term involvement in this project is important to the employees of Bath Iron Works and to the entire community.

"Bath Iron Works' put forth an excellent proposal for this contract and I am confident that the company has the innovative ideas and skilled workforce that the Navy is seeking to lead this project."