Posted on 11/04/2010 1:59:52 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
Throughout the afternoon and evening, a project known as the Littoral Combat Ship will be making news in Wisconsin. I’ve been working with the U.S. Navy on this matter for some time. And I want you to have facts and figures about why this is great news -- both for our national security and for working men and women in our state.
The Navy has announced its intent to accelerate plans to buy Littoral Combat Ships, including ten ships to be built by Marinette Marine over the next five years. This will get these valuable ships to our sailors faster, and bring 5,000 jobs to Wisconsin.
The Littoral Combat Ship, or LCS, is a new and innovative ship and the 55 ships the Navy plans to acquire will be the backbone of our 300 ship fleet. These fast, flexible ships will do a variety of missions. The Navy plans to use the LCS to hunt submarines, drug smugglers, pirates, and terrorists. It will be able to support our troops on the ground by providing fire support from the sea, relaying communications around the world, and supporting unmanned aerial vehicles like Predator drones. It will be a valuable tool in clearing mines and keeping vital sea lanes in the Persian Gulf open. It will also be able to get close to shore and insert or pick up special operations forces in hostile areas. The LCS is the ship we need for the conflicts we face today and will confront in the future.
What makes this ship a real change from the past is the way it is designed to be both capable and cost effective. It has a modular design, which means that for each different mission a LCS is sent to do – it will be able to switch out weapon systems so it has exactly what it needs. In the past a Navy ship did only one mission, but the LCS’s ability to switch out its equipment means it will be able to do many. This gives the Navy flexibility to respond to different threats – and save taxpayers’ money.
One of the reasons that the Navy has decided to change its plans for the LCS is because Marinette and its prime contractor Lockheed Martin have done an amazing job of driving down costs for the taxpayers. I have talked with Marinette Marine and Lockheed Martin’s CEO many times this last year discussing how they need to cut costs to win – and they responded. Their aggressive pricing has put this ship on track, and will get the Navy more ships faster.
The workers of Marinette Marine also made this possible with their commitment and craftsmanship. Their work ethic and ingenuity has made us all proud. This is a great example of companies and the Pentagon working together to get the best for our men and women in uniform.
For Wisconsin – this announcement means jobs. Both in Marinette where the company expects to hire 2,100 employees over the next couple of years, and around the state. Subcontractors, like DRS, Fairbanks-Morse, and other companies will see an uptick in orders. Marinette Marine believes that these ten ships will spur an additional 5,000 jobs around the state at a much needed time. Each ship Marinette builds will pump almost $300 million into our economy. This contract can help turn around the manufacturing sector in our state – and drive growth.
The Navy has confidence in Marinette and Lockheed Martin because they have seen results. The first LCS Marinette Marine built, the Freedom, is already doing well as part of the Navy, participating in anti-drug operations and on maneuvers in the Pacific. Marinette’s second ship, the Fort Worth, is under construction and expected to be finished around the end of the year.
We have worked with Marinette Marine closely to make this a reality: contacting the Secretary of the Navy, arguing for their company in Congressional hearings, working to get a winning deal. Today we are starting to see the results. Marinette Marine and Lockheed Martin have worked hard for our sailors and our country – and their success shows.
Sincerely, Herb Kohl
Bringing home the taxpayer-funded bacon.
They are so proud.
Government spending destroys more jobs than it creates.
Party affiliation?
Thanks Herb, now retire.
Herbs a Dem
I always pronounce Littoral Combat Ship wrong.
And then my girlfriend smacks me one.
I thought the “major win for Wisconsin was booting out Russ Feingold and the rest of his Demonrat friends. You’re next, Herbie.
Dem, of course. He’s trying to look like he’s doing something. He’s been in place almost as long as Feingold.
Kohl’s so rarely seen or heard from between election campaigns that I’ve taken to calling him “Punxsutawney Herb”.
Wisconsin ping list?
ROTFLMAO
“Punxsutawney Herb”! That’s a good one. Mind if I borrow it?
There were supposedly two shipyards competing for the contract. Two yards, two designs.
In the end both won - doubling the order and taxpayer expense.
Failure to make a tough decision, leaving taxpayers on the hook. Again, a hallmark of the administration.
“Mind if I borrow it?”
By all means, go right ahead!
Ya think we might have put the skeer in him?
The workers of Marinette Marine ...craftsmanship.
This is a great example of working together...
The Navy has confidence in Marinette and Lockheed Martin...
This is all BOVINE PROCESSED HAY! I have been close to the LCS for many years and Sen. Herb Kohl announcement is as far from the truth as it could be. Martin's ineptitude and greed are legion. Its a complicated and sad story - but very briefly:
1- Their LCS was designed, built, and performs poorly - far below the original design goals. It may "look" good but it ain't.
2- Their cost overruns were so egregious that they: a) nearly sank the entire LCS project, b) resulted in the Navy project manager getting canned, c) had the nerve (and political clout) to extort even more money from the Navy, and d)was a major reason the total number of LCSs to be ordered was so drastically reduced. (In fairness, the Navy is not without sin here but nothing compared to the malfeasance of Martin)
3-The only reason Martin got a reorder was due to political pressure from Congress. Compared to the competing LCS ship designed and built by General Dynamics, Martin was and is an embarrassment.
I think he finally learned people expect him to do something while in DC besides push buttons like a
monkey. When is he up for election in 2012?
Those LCS's look fast. Bet that can move lickity-split...
I don’t know the details of the contract, but I suspect you are accurate. But notice how Herbie spins it? It certainly impressed me, and I further suspect he did it only because he’s heard how angry Wisconsin voters were at Feingold over his arrogant manner at the series of Town Halls he held last year.
He didn’t even pretend to listen to the taxpayer complaints. And he always had a rejoinder about taxpayers in OTHER districts were begging him to vote for Obamacare. I don’t know where those OTHER districts were because pretty much all of WI hates Obamacare.
Herbie is afraid that unless Wisconsin anger is soothed, he may go down in flames next election.
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