The U.S. LCS Program Is In Trouble

The USS Freedom. US Navy

Red Flags Everywhere -- Information Dissemination

I was reading Danial Goure's piece on the Lexington Institute blog titled Littoral Combat Ship: It’s The Mission Packages, Stupid. The title is a play on a Clinton-era campaign slogan, but it doesn't work for me because the problems are much bigger than the mission packages. While focus on the incomplete mission modules is vogue due to the recent release of the GAO report, I think pointing to one specific problem as a priority over the rest with the LCS program is like trying to find the more disgusting piece of trash among all the trash in the city dump.

There isn't just one thing wrong with the Littoral Combat Ship program - every thing is wrong with this program. There are so many red flags waiving frantically in the face of Congress, the Navy, and any casual observer in regards to the Littoral Combat Ship I feel like I am standing roadside in Beijing during a Party propaganda parade.

Read more ....

More News On The LCS Program

Lockheed says upgraded Aegis passes Navy tests -- Bloomberg
Lockheed finishes 60% work on US Navy’s 3rd Littoral Combat Ship -- Brahmand
Littoral Combat Ship: It’s The Mission Packages, Stupid -- Defpro

US defends early deployment of littoral combat ship -- Janes Defense
GAO: Early LCS deployment hurt the program -- Navy Times
Auditors See Many Challenges Still Facing LCS -- Aviation Week
Report sees cost risks in U.S. Navy ship program -- Reuters
U.S. Navy's Ability to Overcome Challenges Facing the Littoral Combat Ship Will Determine Eventual Capabilities -- Defpro
U.S. Littoral Combat Ships not up to snuff -- UPI
New warships have serious problems -- Sign On San Diego

Navy delays LCS decision -- UPI
Navy: LCS contract decision 3 months away -- FOX News
Navy delays LCS decision -- Marine Log
Austal, LockMar Nose to Nose For LCS -- DoD Buzz
Navy delays new combat ship contract -- The Hill
US Navy's new warship contract delayed until fall -- Reuters

The LCS name strategy at work -- Navy Times Scoopdeck
New Office For Navy UAVs -- Aviation Week