A U.S. Navy order for 52 littoral combat ships may be trimmed by 20, putting the jobs of thousands at Marinette Marine Corp. in jeopardy, according to a recent report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The $32 billion program has created thousands of jobs in the northern Wisconsin city, but problems with the first three ships, including the USS Freedom made in Marinette, may sink much of the order.
The 377-foot littoral combat ships can operate in shallow water and travel at speeds of 46 mph, making them adept at hunting for submarines, pirates, and underwater mines. They can also launch aerial drones.
Reported problems with the ships include, among others, issues with diesel-powered generators, compressors, and propulsion systems and with power-generation and computer systems.
Acting U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Christine Fox has directed the Navy to trim the order to 32 ships. The Navy said it is committed to the full 52-ship fleet, but defense industry experts doubt the full order will ever be approved.
The ships are also made in Mobile, Ala.
Marinette builds a steel-hulled ship, while its Alabama competitor builds a tri-hulled, aluminum version. If the Navy chooses the Alabama design for the remaining vessels, Marinette Marine’s contract could end by 2020, causing significant layoffs.
