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<P><SPAN class=390454217-27112009>Global Security < </SPAN><A
href="http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/lcs.htm">http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/lcs.htm</A><SPAN
class=390454217-27112009></SPAN> ><SPAN class=390454217-27112009> says
this about the LCS:</SPAN></P><SPAN class=390454217-27112009>
<P dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=390454217-27112009>"</SPAN>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. </P>
<P dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=390454217-27112009>"</SPAN>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. </P>
<P dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=390454217-27112009>"</SPAN>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." </P>
<P><SPAN class=390454217-27112009>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." </SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN class=390454217-27112009>To move this discussion further I would ask
Aaron to address several of his assertions:</SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN class=390454217-27112009>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?</SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN class=390454217-27112009>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?</SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN class=390454217-27112009>Looking forward to the discussion,</SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN class=390454217-27112009>Charles Knight<BR></P></SPAN>
<P><SPAN class=390454217-27112009><BR> </P></SPAN>
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