Split LCS by OKd

Congress approved a Navy plan to award a nearly $5 billion shipbuilding contract to Austal USA, doubling the size of the company's Mobile shipyard and creating 1,800 jobs. Once signed by President Barack Obama, the Navy will be able to move forward with a plan to split the purchase of 20 vessels between Austal and Lockheed Martin Corp. Previously, the shipbuilders were in a winner-take-all competition to build 10 LCS, with nine additional ships planned in future years. (Source: Mobile Press-Register, 12/21/10)