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By Edward Lundquist The future of the U.S. Navy is taking shape today, hundreds of miles from any ocean. The first Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), USS Freedom (LCS 1) is being built at the Marinette Marine Shipyard in Marinette, Wis., on Lake Michigan. Three years ago, a ship like this was just an idea. As the Navy recognized the need for capabilities to defeat asymmet- ric threats in the littoral, or coastal waters, of the world, studies and cam- paign analyses pointed to a sizeable number of fast, reconfigurable focused- mission combatants as the best solution. After a competition evaluating multiple concepts and designs, two teams headed up by Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics were chosen to build the first two LCS platforms. For the first time, the Navy is develop- ing the basic "seaframe" hull apart from the modular combat capability, which will be switched out as operational requirements dictate. This flexibility makes LCS a focused-mission ship, able to take on the three most important mis- sions in littoral warfare: mine warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare. The Lockheed Martin (LMCO) team's LCS is being designed by naval archi- tect Gibbs and Cox, based on the semi- planing monohull design of the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. Fincantieri's high-speed yacht, with Navy ADVERTORIAL Trust Dual Shield ® for consistent performance. Time after time, weld after weld, ESAB brings you products that meet your precise specifications. For shipbuilding applications, Dual Shield mild steel cored wires combine excellent all-position arc characteristics and high deposition rates with exceptionally low fume generation and very low spatter. Dual Shield wire combined with an ESAB Weatherguard 653E cvcc power source and a MobileMaster TM wire feeder creates a hardworking, reliable package for consistently superior welds. A trusted partner of industry for 100 years, ESAB backs its products with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Ask for ESAB by name. Great things happen when you put us to work. 1.800.ESAB.123 www.esabna.com Smooth, stable arc characteristics Very high out-of-position deposition rates Fume emission rate approaching that of solid wires Dual Shield II low-hydrogen series meets the U.S. Navy’s HY classification UIforward UIforward UIforward UIforward WELDING | CUTTING | FILLER METALS non-corrosive, non-flammable, high impact composite. All power components, connectors, terminals and support structures are covered with a durable clear protective coating. The control circuitry is enclosed and sealed against dirt, dust and moisture within an easy-access compartment. Rated 650 amps at 44 Vdc, 100% duty cycle, the power source offers 230/460/575 Vac, 60 Hz operation with a 115 Vac auxiliary power outlet for water circulator or tools. It is com- patible with 115 Vac and 42 Vac wire feeders. Weatherguard is available as a power source unit or a ready-to-weld package supplied with ESAB’s Mig 4HD wire feeder. Like all ESAB products, Weatherguard is backed by ESAB’s exclusive 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-ESAB-123 or online at www.esabna.com. MobileMaster TM Wire Feeder Provides Reliable Performance in Harsh Environments The MobileMaster IV Wire Feeder from ESAB is built to handle harsh environ- ments such as con- struction sites, pipelines, shipyards, offshore applications, general fabrication and mobile welding rigs. MobileMaster features a completely enclosed, impact-resistant case to protect the wire from dirt, metal grit, moisture and contaminants. The flame retardant, insulated molded composite plastic case is metal rein- forced to withstand extreme abuse from drops, bumps, hot slag, grinding sparks, corrosive chemicals and more. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-ESAB-123 or online at www.esabna.com. ESAB Launches 100% Satisfaction Guarantee Program In celebration of their 100th anniversary, ESAB Welding and Cutting Products North America is offering a revolutionary pledge to their customers: 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. With complete confidence in their products, ESAB is the only manufacturer in the industry to offer this unique purchase protection, allowing consumers to buy completely risk free. This guarantee is a way to show how committed ESAB is to customer satisfaction. The 100% Satisfaction Guarantee applies to ESAB welding equipment, gas apparatus, hand-held plasma machines, and filler metals. The guarantee is valid for 100 days from the date of purchase. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-ESAB-123, press 5, or online at www.esabna.com/100satisfactionguarantee. ESAB 653E Weatherguard Provides Outstanding Multi-Process Performance in an Environment-Resistant Package ESAB’s versatile 653E cvcc Weatherguard power source is a multi-process, three-phase power source designed for heavy-duty indus- trial DC welding applications, including Mig, flux cored wire, submerged arc and stick electrode welding and air carbon arc gouging. Specially designed for harsh working environ- ments such as shipbuild- ing, Weatherguard pro- vides protection from damage caused by water, salt spray, metal dusts, corrosive mists and more. This environment-resistant power source features an all-stainless steel base, frame and fasteners with side and top panels made from a Product of choice for shipbuilders. Circle 223 on Reader Service Card 30 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News First Littoral Combatant Takes Shape in Midwest Fairbanks Morse Engines for LCS Fairbanks Morse Engine recently delivered the second of two Colt- Pielstick, 16-cylinder diesel engines for installation aboard the U.S. Navy's first Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). USS Freedom (LCS-1) will be the first LCS to join the Navy's surface fleet and is currently being produced by defense contractor Lockheed Martin at Marinette Marine Corporation in Marinette, Wis. The ship is expected to launch summer 2006 and will be home port- ed in San Diego. The two Colt-Pielstick 16-cylinder PA6B STC engines manufactured by Fairbanks Morse will provide more than 17,000 bhp for Freedom, and will propel the ship by operating independently or jointly with two gas turbines to drive four water jets. Fairbanks Morse delivered the first LCS engine in early January 2006. "These engines will provide eco- nomical, compact, dependable propulsion power for Freedom," said Norlen Meton, LCS Program Administrator at Fairbanks Morse Engine. Circle 27 on Reader Service Card MR MARCH2006 #4 (25-32).qxd 3/2/2006 11:43 AM Page 30