Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced a teaming effort to capture the U.S. Navy's Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) program and provide a lower cost, higher availability, next-generation platform. The Navy plans to replace the existing Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) with the new SSC, a priority to support the joint warfighter.

"In the process of creating this team, we carefully considered all of the innovative and unique requirements the Navy has outlined for this platform," said Richard McCreary, president and CEO of Marinette Marine. "Our team combines Fincantieri's world-class expertise in naval architecture and ship construction with Boeing's advanced rotorcraft systems, integration and program management expertise to help the Navy fill its sea basing-to-shore transport needs. Boeing, as a leader in rotorcraft technology and expert in systems reliability, durability and integration, augments Marinette's capabilities perfectly."

Marinette Marine will be the prime contractor and hull form shipbuilder; Boeing will design, supply and integrate the platform's advanced rotorcraft systems.

"We are excited to team with Marinette for this important program," said Phil Dunford, vice president and general manager of Boeing Rotorcraft Systems. "The SSC is essentially a low-flying rotorcraft designed to carry heavy loads. This mission plays right into Boeing's strengths for innovative heavy-lift rotorcraft, systems integration and global support services."

Marinette Marine, with its shipyard facilities in Marinette, Wis., is a leading shipbuilder serving the government, Military and commercial customers throughout the maritime industry. Its shipbuilding portfolio includes the U.S. Navy Littoral Combat Ship, U.S. Navy Improved Lighterage System, U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers, buoy tenders and response boats, U.S. Navy mine countermeasure vessels and ocean tugs, as well as ferries, dredges and research and exploration vessels. For additional information on Marinette Marine, visit www.fincantierimarinegroup.com.

Its parent company, Fincantieri, heir to the great tradition of Italian shipbuilding, is today one of the largest groups in the world in the design and construction of merchant and naval vessels. The company's core business is the construction of complex ships with high technological content, such as cruise ships and large ferries. Moreover, it is the reference builder in the naval field, providing a wide range of ship types including surface vessels (frigates, corvettes, patrol vessels, etc.) and submarines.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.