U.S. Navy sailors look at the littoral combat ship USS Freedom as it arrives in Changi Naval Base in this April 18, 2013.(Reuters / U.S. Navy / Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Jay C. Pugh)
Navy's Problem-Plagued Ship of Future Facing Cutbacks -- Newsmax
The U.S. Navy is facing mounting pressure from the Pentagon to cut back plans for the innovative Littoral Combat Ship, as it continues to deal with maintenance issues.
The Navy sent the USS Freedom to Singapore this spring, hoping the experimental warship would pass a review with flying colors, but when the report came back last week, it was less than stellar, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Indeed, they found the scope of the problems, including generator meltdowns, burst pipes and propulsion troubles, to be "a little stunning," Rear Adm. Tom Rowden, the Navy's director of surface warfare, told the newspaper.
Now, they are trying to protect the ship from Defense Department planners, who are suggesting that the Navy buy far fewer of the 52 vessels it reportedly planned to purchase for more than $30 billion.
Read more ....
Update: LCS Sidelined Again by Maintenance Issue -- Military.com/Stars and Stripes
My Comment: With more cuts in the U.S. defense budget projected for 2014 .... I do expect cuts in the LCS fleet.
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