Lockheed Martin Team Lays Keel on Nation’s Fifth Littoral Combat Ship, The Future USS Milwaukee

A Lockheed Martin-led industry team held a keel-laying ceremony at Marinette Marine’s shipyard for the future USS Milwaukee, the U.S. Navy’s fifth Littoral Combat Ship (LCS).

The term, lay the keel, in shipbuilding language, means the beginning of a significant undertaking, which is the start of the module erection process that reflects the ship coming to life.

Modern warships are now largely built in a series of pre-fabricated, complete hull sections rather than a single keel, so the actual start of the shipbuilding process is now considered to be when the first sheet of steel is cut. It is often marked with a ceremonial event.

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