Sylvia M Panetta News

Last month marked the launch of two new Littoral Combat Ships: Milwaukee (LCS 5) launched by Marinette Marine into the icy Menominee River; and Jackson (LCS 6) launched by Austal into the far warmer waters found off of southern Alabama. While the two LCS variants and shipyard climates are a world apart, this innovate U.S. Navy ship production program has the common goal of fortifying U.S. defense interests while spurring investment in the creation of two state-of-the-art ship production facilities. Mid-December in Marinette, Wis., can be described with one word: cold.

The U.S. Navy and the Lockheed Martin-led industry team launched the fifth littoral combat ship (LCS) Milwaukee, at the Marinette Marine shipyard, Wisconsin. Prior to launching the ship into the Menominee River, ship sponsor Mrs. Sylvia M. Panetta christened the ship with the tradition of smashing a champagne bottle across the ship’s bow. Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition Sean Stackley and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker delivered remarks at the ceremony.