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Frigates must be capable of independent action, able to hold their own against some unexpected foe, and able to complete their assigned mission. They must also be capable of operating as a part of the fleet and performing some critical task in the midst of a fleet action.

This definition is from the age of sail, but holds true today. the LCS should not be rated a frigate, for it is not and cannot be. In the Royal Navy of the 18th and 19th Century, it would be unrated: a ship sloop or a brig. Capable of performing critical tasks, including inshore tasks or cutting out actions, and capable of enforcing the command of seas against merchant vessels, pirates, and vessels of equal or lesser force. But, these most valuable ships are not frigates, for they cannot stand with the fleet and must avoid decisive engagement with superior ships.

The LCS is a ship sloop, but she costs a fortune which obviates all the advantages of an unrated vessel.

The LCS is a ship sloop, but she costs a fortune which obviates all the advantages of an unrated vessel.

They're on the upper cusp of "corvette", size and capability wise. With a healthy dose of high-speed transport (APD) and high-speed minesweeper (DMS) tossed in.

Of course, the real reason for this designation change is so the "frigate" doesn't slip from the US Navy now that the last Perrys are on the verge of being retired. Like how the Guided Missile Destroyer Leaders (which were also called "frigates") and then the Ticonderoga-class Guided Missile Destroyers were re-designated as "Cruisers" in the 1970s. That required cascading the "frigate" designation onto the Destroyer Escorts, which also had the benefit of bringing the designations in line with those used by NATO and other allies.

The LCS is a pretty cr*ppy platform to designate as a Frigate. Even if they're enlarged. I thought a better option for the "Frigate" role would be an upgraded version of the USCG's National Security Cutter.

As an aside, while they're at it they should really re-designate the Zumwalts as Cruisers as well. Panzerschiff being politically unacceptable ...

Very well done.

That was my inclination: sloop or brig.

But it, my opinion, had no basis in fact. Thanks for sorting it out.

(Got much freeze this year? The best tasting ‘chokes always have to have a bit of frost burn.)