NAVSEA praises HII, LCS

Vice Adm. William Hilarides, commander of Naval Sea Systems Command, told an audience at a Navy League breakfast in Virginia that he was pleased with the quality of ships being built for the Navy. In his business “you have to have an infinite capacity for bad news,” but stressed there was plenty of good news in the defense shipbuilding arena. He was impressed with the new amphibious assault ship America, which was build at Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss. It “was a real testament” to HII getting “quality right.” Also, the admiral remained bullish on the Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) program noting that the first two production versions (LCS 5 and 6) are next to be commissioned and that will begin a rapid fielding of LCS. “I am a massive LCS fan,” he said, and “very happy with the quality.” There are two variants being built. Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., builds the Independence class; and a group from General Dynamics builds the Freedom class. The Navy eventually will select one type of combat system – surface, or mine countermeasures - for both classes. (Source: Sea Power 07/14/14).