Mailing Lists

Global Security <
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/lcs.htm > says this
about the LCS:

"The LCS is an entirely new breed of U.S. Navy warship. A fast, agile,
and networked surface combatant, LCS's modular, focused-mission design
will provide Combatant Commanders the required warfighting capabilities
and operational flexibility to ensure maritime dominance and access for
the joint force. LCS will operate with focused-mission packages that
deploy manned and unmanned vehicles to execute missions as assigned by
Combatant Commanders. 

"LCS will also perform Special Operations Forces (SOF) support,
high-speed transit, Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO),
Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), and
Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP). While complementing
capabilities of the Navy's larger multi-mission surface combatants, LCS
will also be networked to share tactical information with other Navy
aircraft, ships, submarines, and joint units. 

"Secretary of the Navy Gordon England described this new ship as "a
small, fast, maneuverable, and relatively inexpensive member of the
DD(X) family of ships, which began construction in FY 2005. The goal is
to develop a platform that can be fielded in relatively large numbers to
support a wide range of joint missions, with reconfigurable mission
modules to assure access to the littorals for our Navy forces in the
face of threats from surface craft, submarines, and mines." 

I note that descriptives such as "operational flexibility" and
"reconfigurable mission modules" suggest both desireable attributes and
plenty of room for Aaron's "mission creep" and for straying from Gordon
England's goal of being "relatively inexpensive" and thus affordable to
"be fielded in relatively large numbers." 

To move this discussion further I would ask Aaron to address several of
his assertions:

1.  What is the point (design attributes, requirements, etc.)  at which
a ship like this "transforms from the low cost patrol craft to a full on
Ship-of-the-line"? Can you point to devlopment/procurement decisions
where the LCS has crossed this line?

2. "It looks like we are going in a direction where the LCS is a picket
for a  ddx/g/1000."  What specifically do you see happening in this
regard?

Looking forward to the discussion,

Charles Knight



 

 

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