Lockheed Martin's Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems-Marine Systems (NE&SS) and the Office of Naval Research (ONR) will jointly demonstrate ONR funded technologies, which have been embodied in a revolutionary new ship called SLICE. The name SLICE refers to how the ship moves through rough waters. The ship has an advanced hullform that provides for outstanding stability and speed in high sea states. This unique hullform is a variant on SWATH (Small Water-Plane Area Twin-Hull) technology and has four separate underwater hulls that provide buoyancy, propulsion, and excellent hydrodynamic efficiencies. The ship is controlled by a PC-based canard and stabilizer steering and motion control system.

West Coast cities currently under consideration for port visits from May to October of 2001 include Anchorage, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Monterey, Los Angeles, and San Diego. SLICE is expected to participate in the Seattle SEAFAIR Festival and Fleet Week events in San Francisco and San Diego.

Dale Bennett, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin NE&SS-Marine Systems in Baltimore said, "We look forward to partnering with ONR to demonstrate the benefits of cutting-edge ship technologies that are flowing from these two organizations. More importantly, we want to help ONR demonstrate the positive influence that science and technology programs like the electric drive and SLICE will have on future ship designs, improving the crew's quality of life, and the new and exciting missions that will be possible using these technologies."This revolutionary ship has potential applications in both military and commercial markets.