Harley-Davidson commemorates USS Milwaukee with one-of-a-kind bike

MILWAUKEE, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Harley-Davidson has partnered with Lockheed Martin to produce a one-of-a-kind motorcycle to commemorate the U.S. Navy's USS Milwaukee.

The motorcycle is a custom-built Softail Slim S model made by the Milwaukee-based company to honor the U.S. Navy's fifth and newest Littoral Combat Ship. The bike will be on displace during the vessel's commissioning week, and make other appearances at U.S. Navy, industry, and STEM events, and finally appear at a charity auction supporting the National Military Family Association.

"We wanted to do something special for the occasion and support the families of our military men and women who sacrifice so much to protect our freedoms," Lockheed Martin vice president of Ship & Aviation Systems Stephanie C. Hill said in a statement. "We're excited to collaborate with Milwaukee's own Harley-Davidson, a company that has been fulfilling dreams of personal freedom for over 100 years."

The motorcycle was deisgned by Harley-Davidson Chief Stylist Ray Drea, who took inspiration from touring the Fincantieri Marinette Marine Corps shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin. The shipyard is used by Lockheed Martin and other defense industry companies to build the Freedom class of littoral combat ships, relatively small vessels used for maritime combat close to shore.

USS Milwaukee will transit to its homeport in San Diego following its commissioning ceremony to integrate into the fleet.