Lockheed Martin launched Líder, the first of two Crew Transport Vessels (SCTV) the company is building at the FBMA shipyard in the philippines. Líder and its sister ship, Tenaz, which will be launched this spring, feature Lockheed Martin’s innovative SLICE® design. The company first used this innovative design for a vessel it developed, built and tested for the United States Office of Naval Research. Based on Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) design, the SCTV hull form will improve the operational efficiency and lower the operating costs enabling Líder and Tenaz to operate faster in more challenging sea conditions and still provide a safer, more comfortable ride.

The development of the detailed engineering and construction work for Líder and Tenaz took place in Baltimore, MD; Sunnyvale, CA; Cebu, philippines; and Southampton, UK. Lockheed Martin's SLICE technology is a patented ship design that enables Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) ships to operate at higher speeds without sacrificing efficiency by retaining a characteristic low motion in a seaway. The key to this innovation is reduction of wave making drag, which is accomplished by the introduction of four teardrop-shaped submerged hulls supported by short struts. This configuration allows for speeds well beyond the 'hump' on the Froude resistance curve.

Combining this increased speed capability with extraordinary stability in high seas, SLICE technology opens up a new set of options to commercial and military customers. Ship operators want small, affordable ships that perform at high speed in high seas. This technology fulfills both of these requirements and is ideal for many applications. This was proven by the Sea SLICE prototype, which is only 105-feet long and 52-feet wide, but is as stable in rough seas as a 350-foot conventional monohull ship.