After review, WH favors 2nd LCS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Trump Administration is “supportive” of buying a second Littoral Combat Ships in FY 2018 despite the federal budget request containing funding for only one, acting acquisition chief Allison Stiller told a House Armed Services subcommittee May 24. “The administration recognizes the criticality of our industrial base and supports funding a second LCS in FY 18,” she said. The May 23 rollout request for one LCS drew wide criticism on Capitol Hill for putting at risk the two LCS shipyards - Austal USA of Mobile, Ala. and Fincantieri’s Marinette (Wis.) Marine - that rely on a rate of three buys per year. In a unprecedented move, the administration told the Navy mid-day on May 23 - after the rollout and during follow-up budget-crafting - that it would support two vice one LCS. (Source: U.S. Naval Institute News 05/24/17)