Navy Admiral sees positive LCS future

MARINETTE - The Navy's top officer gave a thumbs up to its shipbuilding program Wednesday afternoon. The comments came during the Chief of Naval Operations visit to Marinette Marine, which has an agreement from the Navy to build 10 ships.

At the shipyard at Marinette Marine sits the LCS 3, also known as the future USS Ft. Worth. It's the program's third ship to be built, the second in Marinette. It will have its sea trials this fall, and the Navy will take over the littoral combat ship in February.

"One of the things that's important for me is to make sure that we maintain the capabilities that the nation needs in its Navy," Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations told reporters. "LCS is critical to that capability."

The LCS is known for its ability to navigate shallow waters.

The contracts to build the ships are through the Navy, which means federal money supports the program.

Though the future of the federal budget is a bit uncertain, officials feel confident in the future of the LCS program.

"I'm not going to get into any of the budget discussion, but I'm very comfortable with where we are with our shipbuilding programs and the recognition of how important our ship building programs are to the Navy and to the nation," said Roughead.

Roughead checked up on the LCS program at Marinette Marine. He said he's pleased with what he saw.

The company is encouraged by the Admiral's visit, but doesn't take anything for granted when it comes to contracts with the Navy.

"You always have concerns about that, especially with the budget challenges," said Chuck Goddard, Marinette Marine President & CEO. "But I'm encouraged when you hear your CNO talk about the priority that this is for the Navy...The best thing we can do is continue to perform and not give them an excuse to make a cut. And I firmly believe that as long as we continue to build these on schedule and on cost that they'll continue to fund those."

The admiral says if the ships at Marinette Marine continue to meet cost and schedule the LCS system, and those who build it, are in a very good position.

Goddard says the company is hiring 40 - 50 union workers each month. He says the company currently employs about 1,100 and is on pace to reach 2,000 employees within two years.