Recognized for their product delivery and performance, outstanding technical support, and commitment to affordability, Fairbanks Morse Engine (FME) was named Lockheed Martin’s Littoral Combat Ship 2015 Supplier of the Year at the Surface Navy Association Symposium January 12 in Crystal City, Virginia.

Headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin, FME was recognized for delivering and installing its products continue to meet schedules at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard, and for product performance on the USS Freedom (LCS 1) and the USS Fort Worth (LCS 3).

The power systems company, which manufactures the main propulsion diesel engines for the Freedom-variant LCS, was also praised for providing excellent technical support at Fincantieri Marinette Marine to effectively accomplish “Set to Work” and sea trials testing.

“Fairbanks Morse Engines has been an excellent LCS partner, demonstrating a commitment to the program that is now in full rate production,” said Joe North, vice president of Littoral Ships & Systems for Lockheed Martin. “The quality of their work is evident in the successful deployments of USS Freedom and USS Fort Worth.”

FME was also recognized for its commitment to affordability through a long-term contract for pricing through the remainder of the program. The agreement will ensure affordable prices for Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Navy.

The Freedom-variant LCS program enjoyed remarkable progress in 2015. Building on the success of USS Freedom’s 2013 Southeast Asia deployment and the USS Fort Worth’s ongoing deployment in the region, the team launched LCS 9 (Little Rock) in July and helped the Navy commission the USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) in November. The team also laid the keel for LCS 13 (Wichita) in February and LCS 15 (Billings) in November.

Four other ships are in various stages of construction: LCS 17 (Indianapolis) and LCS 19 (St. Louis) are in early construction, while LCS 21 (Minneapolis/St. Paul) and LCS 23 (Cooperstown) are in long-lead material procurement.