New Orleans Still Makes Great Ships and Rockets Too   Since World War II the shipbuilding industry has evolved in response to changes in military demand but has remained strong in Defense Department and private contracts creating jobs and substantial economic impact in the area. Projects such as the Navy's LPD 17 (Landing Platform Dock) ships being built at Northrop-Grumman's Avondale Shipyard are an example of the vitality of shipbuilding in the region.  The region continues to play a major role in the US space program as Lockheed Martin's external fuel tank assembly operations for the NASA Space Shuttle program are located at the Michoud Assembly Facility.  Next