The Navy's delayed plan to build a fleet of shallow-water warships took a big step forward yesterday when the first Littoral Combat Ship, Freedom, set sail for builder's trials on Lake Michigan. The Lockheed Martin-built ship is one of two competing prototypes: General Dynamics' striking trimaran version is lagging about six months behind Freedom. The Navy wants to build around 50 of the 3,000-ton ships.
Originally, many LCSs were supposed to operate in groups "anchored" by stealthy DDG-1000 fire-support ships. (Others would act as fast minesweepers.) But last week the DDG-1000 program got sliced to just two ships, pending Congressional approval. What's the new concept for operating the LCS? If the Navy knows, it's not saying.
Regardless of who wins the U.S. Navy LCS competition, it appears Lockheed Martin will build a variant for Israel, with one significant change over the U.S. version: much heavier weaponry.
(Photo: Lockheed Martin)
