Finalizing Frigate-variant of LCS

The Navy is in the process of finalizing plans for the types of weapons, sensors and technologies to install into its new, more lethal upgraded Frigate-variant of the Littoral Combat Ship. The new Frigate’s capabilities being considered include additional interactive surface and anti-submarine warfare technologies - sonar, over-the-horizon (OTH) and surface-to-surface close-in missiles, and a 30mm gun. “You will be able to employ both (SW & ASW) mission areas simultaneously,” Capt. Dan Brintzinghoffer, Frigate Program Manager. LCS was configured to perform with only one of its three mission packages at a time. The Frigate – a likely outgrowth of one of the two LCS variants - is slated for delivery to the Navy by 2023. Critics have argued the two LCS variants were too vulnerable to enemy attacks. Six LCS are currently operational. Defense Secretary Ash Carter told the Navy to buy only 32 more. The original plan was for 52. (Source: Scout Warrior 06/10/16) Gulf Coast Note: According to SECDEF Carter, only one of the two LCS shipbuilders – either Austal USA of Mobile, Ala., or Lockheed Martin in Wisconsin – will likely be selected; and the other could suffer significant business repercussions. A Government Accountability Office report claims the new upgraded frigate variant of LCS is not much of an improvement over the original because Navy was too focused on cost and production numbers. GAO says the two shipyards have plenty of original-LCS work to keep them busy through FY 2017; and Navy should pause from buying any more in FY-17.