In the every changing Surface Fleet, "LCS Now Officially Called A Frigate"

2015-01-15T20:59:42-05:00

From a recent article in the Defense News, the long plagued and dis-liked Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) are being re-designated by the SECNAV as Frigates (FF).

All of the current Guided Missile Frigates (FFG) are being decommissioned.

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/naval/ships/2015/01/15/lcs-navy-frigate/21801559/

LCS Now Officially Called A Frigate

Since its inception in 2001, the US Navy's Littoral Combat Ship program has been described as needed to replace the fleet's frigates, minesweepers and patrol ships.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 1:48 PM

2015-03-06T13:48:38-05:00

Here's some more news on that front. Is calling this ship a frigate supposed to make it less of a turd?

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/03/04/navy-plans-to-expand-speed-up-lcs-modifications.html?comp= [login to see] 025&rank=4

Navy Plans to Expand, Speed-Up LCS Modifications

Secretary Mabus says the Navy wants upgrades for a new variant of the LCS to be retrofitted onto the existing fleet before 2019.

Response by PO1 James Booker made Mar 6 at 2015 5:45 PM

2015-03-06T17:45:29-05:00

Well....I suppose it IS better than what many in the upper echelon designate it. "Little Crappy Ship". It's made "just up the road" in Marinette Wi. I know a couple of engineers who say that's a pretty accurate description.

Frigate though???

One independent report found the LCS's..."ill-suited for combat operations against anything but small, fast boats not armed with anti-ship missiles. It also found that the excessive beam of the trimaran Independence class ships may pose a "navigational challenge" in narrow waterways and tight harbors". The report also found that the contractor-based maintenance scheme for the ships had led to poorly supervised and unaccountable contractors leaving problems unresolved.

The LCS program was a victim of political wrangling and glad-handing. Splitting the program between Marinette and Mobile...AND...designing two wholly different ships to serve as one class basically. Just an all around bad idea.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Mar 6 at 2015 6:41 PM

2015-03-06T18:41:05-05:00

As a former bubblehead, I have a lot of respect for the O.H. Perry Frigates (they're all gone now - or soon will be). However...

When I hear the word Frigate, the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) is what comes to mind, not some little piece of riveted aluminum (sorry, frigate guys...).

I'm just old school. What would you Armor guys say if we decided to reclassify the Bradley as a MBT and promised to put a bigger gun on it?

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 1:07 PM

2015-10-28T13:07:02-04:00

I for one like the Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) designation

Response by Mark Grant made Jan 27 at 2016 7:36 AM

2016-01-27T07:36:58-05:00

Life saving in a Time of battle is #1 priority and when all hands are needed they all need to be ready. Dental is important but emphasis should be on critical triage.