WASHINGTON, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp and the U.S. unit of Australia's Austal Ltd each won U.S. Navy contracts to design and build 10 coastal combat ships, the Navy said on Wednesday.
Each contract is valued at more than $430 million for the first ships. The companies each will design 10 coastal combat ships through 2015.
The decision to buy two 'Littoral Combat Ship' designs may fuel controversy over possible dual-source purchases of tankers and F-35 fighter engines.
(Reporting by Jim Wolf. Editing by Robert MacMillan) Keywords: NAVYSHIPS/LOCKHEED AUSTAL (jim.wolf@thomsonreuters.com; +1-202-898-8402; Reuters Messaging: jim.wolf.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
Each contract is valued at more than $430 million for the first ships. The companies each will design 10 coastal combat ships through 2015.
The decision to buy two 'Littoral Combat Ship' designs may fuel controversy over possible dual-source purchases of tankers and F-35 fighter engines.
(Reporting by Jim Wolf. Editing by Robert MacMillan) Keywords: NAVYSHIPS/LOCKHEED AUSTAL (jim.wolf@thomsonreuters.com; +1-202-898-8402; Reuters Messaging: jim.wolf.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.