Wisconsin's Marinette Marine Corp. has launched the first of a new class of Navy warship
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. 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.