The U.S. Navy has issued a Lockheed Martin-led industry team a $698.9 million contract modification to add funding for construction of two Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) - the seventh and eighth in a 10-ship contract awarded in December 2010.

The contract modification is for construction of Indianapolis (LCS 17) and LCS 19, yet to be named. The first ship on this 2010 contract, the USS Milwaukee (LCS 5), was christened and launched in 2013, and is undergoing trials before delivery to the Navy in 2015. The future USS Detroit (LCS 7) will be christened and launched later this year.

Little Rock (LCS 9), Sioux City (LCS 11) and Wichita (LCS 13) are all in various stages of construction, and Billings (LCS 15) will begin construction this year.

"Our industry team appreciates the U.S. Navy's confidence in the LCS program as we continue down the learning curve to make these ships more capable and more affordable," said Joe North, vice president of Littoral Ship Systems at Lockheed Martin's Mission Systems and Training business.

"We'll continue to build best-in-class, cost effective ships for the Navy, supporting its need to defeat littoral threats and provide maritime access in critical waterways."

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.

Fincantieri has invested more than $74 million in the Marinette facility on upgrades that have increased efficiency and minimized energy consumption, an expansion that will allow for construction of more than two ships at a time, and process improvements that will speed up production.

Nearly 900 suppliers across 43 states are contributing to the Freedom-class LCS program.