Interdiction of pirates?
Perhaps patrolling places like the Persian Gulf...coast of Venezuela.
However, I don't see much "Power Projection" capability that has been the hallmark of the US Navy since Tripoli around 1800. Merrimack and Monitor. Great White Fleet. WWII DOMINANCE over the Japanese. Reagan's 600 ship Navy.
Hell, a FFG costs 1/3 what these units cost and are far more capable in support of power projection. We could use 60 FFG's more than we can use the LCS. Hell, 30 FFG's and 10 DDG's.
I don't get it.
Did the Navy ask, or did a Senator/Congressman ask on their behalf?
The Independence class is intended as a small assault transport that can take on various capabilities with the installation of mission modules. Instead of guns they will have mission modules. Modules may consist of manned aircraft, unmanned vehicles, off-board sensors, or mission-manning detachments
The Freedom class is designed for a variety of missions in shallow waters, capable against submarines and ships, as well as minesweeping and humanitarian relief
You might as well paint these things white with a big orange stripe. If these things are even close to the cost of a Burke class we are making a big mistake.
The fiasco is basically the fault of former CNO Vern Clark.
I exaggerate only slightly but basically the whole program is him rolling out of bed one morning and scribbling it down. Almost no analysis went into the requirements. The high speed serves no purpose and caused the costs to explode.
Many things about the LCS, such as modularity, are good ideas. The way they implemented modularity was stupid, however.