Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Oversight Issues and Options for Congress
Abstract
The Navy is procuring a new class of surface combatant called the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The first LCS was procured in FY2OO5, another three were procured in FY2OO6, and two more were procured in FY2OO7 Current Navy plans call for procuring three LCSs in FY2OO8, and then about six per year in FY2OO9-FY2Ol6, for a planned total of 55 ships The LCS is a small, fast surface combatant that uses modular "plug-and-fight" mission packages, including unmanned vehicles (UVs). The ship's mission orientation can be changed by changing out its mission packages. The basic version of the LCS, without any mission packages, is referred to as the LCS sea frame. The LCS's primary intended missions are countering enemy mines, submarines, and fast attack craft in littoral (near-shore) waters. Secondary missions include intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (15k): mantime intercept: special operations forces (SOF) support and logistics support for movement of personnel and supplies. The LCS is also mentioned in connection with the Navy's role in what the Bush Administration refers to as the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). The LCS program raises several potential oversight issues for Congress, including the increase in reported LCS unit procurement costs, the program's total acquisition cost, the acquisition strategy for later ships in the program, and the funding of LCS mission packages.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 11, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA467372
Entities
People
- Ronald O'Rourke
Organizations
- Library of Congress