MANITOWOC, Wis., Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Wisconsin's Marinette Marine Corp. has launched the first of a new class of Navy warship designed to operate close to shore.
A so-called littoral combat ship, the 377-foot Freedom was designed and built by a Lockheed Martin-led team. It can sail at about 50 mph in waters as shallow as 14 feet.
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The 3,000-metric ton vessel, which was launched Saturday at Marinette Marine's Wisconsin yard, will be based in San Diego and equipped with a number of small, remotely piloted vessels plus assorted helicopters.