Cost, quality problems dog Navy's LCS warship

Sign On San Diego ^ | July 30, 2011

[sukhoi-30mki]

Cost, quality problems dog Navy's LCS warship

The littoral combat ship Freedom (LCS-1) has been undergoing maintenance and upgrades at BAE Ship Repair San Diego. — Earnie Grafton

A decade-old, multibillion-dollar attempt by the Navy to develop a radically different family of warships is reeling from cost overruns, structural problems and doubts about the design, staffing, role and survivability of the speedy new vessels.

This month, a bipartisan group of seven U.S. senators demanded that the Pentagon explain why Freedom, the first of the new littoral combat ships, suffered a small but worrisome crack in its hull and had to return to its homeport of San Diego for repairs.

The group, led by Arizona Republican and former naval aviator John McCain, also asked why an even newer, different version of the ship named Independence developed “aggressive” corrosion in its propulsion system. The problem may have slowed its move to San Diego, which will be home to the first 12 of the 55 LCS ships that are planned.

None of the senators has called for canceling LCS, whose ships have more than doubled in cost. But Gibbs & Cox, one of the nation’s leading naval architectural firms, revealed this week that it has come up with the concept for a new frigate that could serve as an alternative.

Gibbs@Cox also designed Freedom, a ship that is supposed to improve the Navy’s ability to stalk submarines, hunt mines and counter small enemy boats in shallow littoral, or near-shore, waters. Freedom has a draft of only 13.5 feet, which is half that of the

[Venturer]

So Gibbs @ Cox the same people who designed this disaster have a new and better plan.

I do too-—Find yourself a new designer.

[ClearCase_guy]

DOD has a broken acquisition system; everything costs more than it should. Land vehicles, aircraft, whatever. Costs just go up and up and up.

But, as far as I can see, the Navy has the least control over this. The Zumwalt destroyer is another good example. There were originally going to be 32 of these ships -- and they are wonderful ships. They are classed as destroyers, but they perform like stealthy battleships and pack quite a punch.

Unfortunately, costs rose so much, we won't have 32 of them.

We'll have 2.

[Incorrigible]

Bump

[fella]

The DOD procurement system as developed a number of costly bad habits decades ago and they have gotten worse with time. Letting contracts then demanding major changes well after work is under way is just one of them. Changing contractors before completion is another. Kowtowing to politicians and their entourages is an anti-thrift habit.

[rockinqsranch]

“The 2003-04 edition of Jane’s Fighting Ships says, “It is hard to avoid the impression that this is a ship in search of a capability rather than a capability in in search of a ship.””

I am inclined to agree with Janes.

[B4Ranch]

Like it or not we’re headed for decreased national strength in every area.

Say Hello to the New World Order. Welcome them in with open arms!

[married21]

Oops. read the title wrong and scrolled down for cute pictures of the Dog Navy, but there weren’t any. Bummer.

[MSF BU]

What’s important is that they DO have accomodations so the gals can be sailors to (albeit at reduced standards). That is the most important goal, expecially for the MOST politically correct branch of our service.

[blueunicorn6]

The Chinese have developed a revolutionary new countermeasure for the LCS.
“Comrades! This is a rock. Throw it at the hull. The LCS will crack and sink.”