Harley-Davidson has teamed up with Lockheed Martin to develop a one-off motorcycle influenced by the USS Milwaukee, a Littoral Combat Ship that will be commissioned Nov. 21.
In addition to acknowledging the upcoming commemoration, Harley Davidson and Lockheed Martin view the motorcycle as way to honor both the U.S. Navy and the city of Milwaukee.
“We wanted to do something special for the occasion and support the families of our military men and women who sacrifice so much to protect our freedoms,” said Stephanie C. Hill, VP of Lockheed Ship & Aviation Systems in a press release announcing the motorcycle’s unveiling. “We’re excited to collaborate with Milwaukee’s own Harley-Davidson, a company that has been fulfilling dreams of personal freedom for over 100 years.”
The customized Harley-Davidson Softail Slim S was designed by Harley Davidson’s Chief Stylist, Ray Drea, who thought up the bike after touring the Fincantieri Marinette Marine Corp. shipyard in Marinette, Wisc. where the USS Milwaukee was built. In the motorcycle, Drea also incorporated the stylings of World War II-era Harley-Davidsons.
The custom bike will be displayed during the USS Milwaukee Commissioning week, and will also be shown at various U.S. Navy, industry, and STEM-oriented events over the next year before eventually being auctioned off. The proceeds from the eventual sale will be given to the National Military Family Association (NMFA).
“We are honored to be a part of this one-of-a-kind endeavor,” said NMFA Executive Director Joyce Wessel Raezer. “Both Lockheed Martin and Harley-Davidson have been such wonderful supporters of the military and their families, and we couldn’t be happier to be a part of this commemoration.”
The fifth Navy ship to be named after the city, the USS Milwaukee will undergo a battery of tests and crew training sessions in San Diego before its eventually deployed.
The USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) departs Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard for the last time as LCS crew 104 guides the ship to Lake Michigan. The Milwaukee, built by the Lockheed Martin-led LCS industry team, will be commissioned by the Navy Nov. 21. (Image: Lockheed Martin)
Filed Under: Aerospace + defense
