GAO: Delay LCS-to-frigate plan

Government auditors are recommending Congress may want to consider delaying an anticipated $9B Navy request for start-up work of 12 up-armed frigate successors to one of the two Littoral Combat Ship variants. Delaying beyond FY 2018 may be warranted since there are many unanswered questions about the new frigate’s cost and capabilities, the Government Accountability Office announced in an April 18 released report. In mid-2018, the Navy has plans to select between competing LCS variants from Austal USA of Mobile, Ala., and Lockheed Martin Corp. of Wisconsin. The Navy’s impending FY-18 budget request presents a “key opportunity for Congress to affect” the future frigate program by giving the Navy more time to develop information about costs, design, and capability “before authorizing” an investment, the GAO report read. However, if Congress authorizes a 12-block buy of frigates, it will be difficult “to reduce or delay the program,” according to the analysis. There have been a total of 28 LCS delivered to the Navy. (Source: Bloomberg News 04/18/17)