The U.S. Navy has issued a Lockheed Martin-led industry team a $715 million contract modification to add funding for construction of two Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) - the third and fourth in a 10-ship contract awarded in December 2010.

The contract modification is for construction of Little Rock (LCS 9) and Sioux City (LCS 11). Construction on the first and second ships awarded under this contract, Milwaukee (LCS 5) and Detroit (LCS 7), is already underway.

Two ships awarded under previous contracts include USS Freedom (LCS 1), currently being prepared for her next deployment, and Fort Worth (LCS 3), scheduled to be commissioned in September.

"Our shipbuilding program has benefitted greatly from our experience with USS Freedom, resulting in increased affordability and streamlined production," said Joe North, vice president of littoral ship systems at Lockheed Martin's Mission Systems and Sensors business.

"We have listened to customer feedback from our lead ship and we continue to invest in areas that will bring additional efficiencies to the future LCS ships."

Marinette Marine Corporation, a Fincantieri company, is building the ships in Marinette, Wis., with naval architect Gibbs and Cox of Arlington, Va. providing engineering support.

The shipyard has made significant progress in its ongoing plan to more than double its indoor production area and add new fabrication and panel line buildings, in addition to other modification projects. The shipyard is also growing its workforce to meet increasing demands.

There are more than 700 companies in 43 states performing work on the Lockheed Martin Freedom-variant LCS program.