The Navy has awarded General Dynamics - Bath Iron Works today a $223,262,430 option exercise contract modification for detailed design and construction of the second Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). "This contract award is a testament to the strong resolve of both the Navy and industry to get these highly capable ships into the water as quickly as possible," said RADM Charlie Hamilton, the Program Executive Officer for Ships. "LCS will introduce unprecedented speed, agility and flexibility into the littoral battlespace. The General Dynamics' team will begin construction in October and ship delivery is scheduled for 2007. The Navy plans to build four Flight 0 LCS. The Navy has an option to build another from General Dynamics.