Sad days...
"The Navy also has not yet demonstrated that LCS will achieve its survivability
requirements, and does not plan to complete survivability assessments until
2018�after more than 24 ships are either in the fleet or under construction. The
Navy has identified unknowns related to the use of aluminum and the hull of the
Independence variant, and plans to conduct testing in these areas in 2015 and
2016. However, the Navy does not plan to fully determine how the Independence
variant will react to an underwater explosion. This variant also sustained some
damage in a trial in rough sea conditions, but the Navy is still assessing the
cause and severity of the damage and GAO has not been provided with a copy
of the test results. Results from air defense and cybersecurity testing also
indicate concerns, but specific details are classified.
In February 2014 the former Secretary of Defense directed the Navy to assess
options for a small surface combatant with more survivability and combat
capability than LCS. The Navy conducted a study and recommended modifying
the LCS to add additional survivability and lethality features. After approving the
Navy�s recommendation, the former Secretary of Defense directed the Navy to
submit a new acquisition strategy for a modified LCS for his approval. He also
directed the Navy to assess the cost and feasibility of backfitting lethality and
survivability enhancements on current LCS. Nevertheless, the Navy has
established a new frigate program office to manage this program, and the Navy
has requested $1.4 billion for three LCS in the fiscal year 2016 President�s
budget, even though it is clear that the current ships fall short of identified
survivability and lethality needs. GAO has an ongoing review of the Navy�s small
surface combatant study and future plans for the LCS program. "
http://www.gao.gov/assets/680/674367.pdf
Just build a real combatant already.
Sad days...
"The Navy also has not yet demonstrated that LCS will achieve its survivability
requirements, and does not plan to complete survivability assessments until
2018�after more than 24 ships are either in the fleet or under construction. The
Navy has identified unknowns related to the use of aluminum and the hull of the
Independence variant, and plans to conduct testing in these areas in 2015 and
2016. However, the Navy does not plan to fully determine how the Independence
variant will react to an underwater explosion. This variant also sustained some
damage in a trial in rough sea conditions, but the Navy is still assessing the
cause and severity of the damage and GAO has not been provided with a copy
of the test results. Results from air defense and cybersecurity testing also
indicate concerns, but specific details are classified.
In February 2014 the former Secretary of Defense directed the Navy to assess
options for a small surface combatant with more survivability and combat
capability than LCS. The Navy conducted a study and recommended modifying
the LCS to add additional survivability and lethality features. After approving the
Navy�s recommendation, the former Secretary of Defense directed the Navy to
submit a new acquisition strategy for a modified LCS for his approval. He also
directed the Navy to assess the cost and feasibility of backfitting lethality and
survivability enhancements on current LCS. Nevertheless, the Navy has
established a new frigate program office to manage this program, and the Navy
has requested $1.4 billion for three LCS in the fiscal year 2016 President�s
budget, even though it is clear that the current ships fall short of identified
survivability and lethality needs. GAO has an ongoing review of the Navy�s small
surface combatant study and future plans for the LCS program. "
http://www.gao.gov/assets/680/674367.pdf
Just build a real combatant already.