One of the core reasons more people have not joined the LCS bandwagon has been the ongoing contradictions and contrary sales points by its strongest advocates.

Earlier this week we bounced the CNO's "not in harms way" off The Under's "LCS will be like Taffy 3" strange rally cry.

Well - there is more to chew on that will help explain why LCS just cannot get traction.

"If we needed a frigate, we would build a frigate."

---

Undersecretary of the Navy Bob Work

at the CATO forum: The Future of the U.S. Navy Surface Fleet.

P 50 Section 2 of U.S. Navy Program Guide 2012

"Decommissioning of the remaining 26 FFGs is scheduled to occur prior to FY 2019. The LCS will replace the capacity and capability of the FFG 7-class."

Sure, a lot accept that LCS will be in the Fleet - but don't confuse acceptance with approval - and don't complain people "don't get it" when you can't even "explain it."

 

Hat tip DKB in comments.

 

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LCS (both flavors) is just another fine example of DC pork barrel politics, using the fine men and women of our navy as lab rats. The Danish tried this same experiment with ther Flying Fish multi-purpose vessels and where are they all right at this moment ... decommissioned and awaiting some poor shlubs to buy them off the secondary market. LCS is like ther meringe on some wierd and fetid cream pie - it sure looks nice, but it ain't got a lot of substance and oh by the way, I don't think I want to take a bite of it.

They look cool, but I don't think they can fight. neither is out-fitted with an SSM (oh yeah, mission modules - weasel words for costly bells and whistles). By the way, did anyone remember to mention one flavor is made from aluminum? As Hagel once profoundly stated, "History teaches that mankind learns absolutely nothing from history." Does anyone remember what happened to the USS Stark? It got hit by an exocet and the resulting fire melted a portion of the superstructure. That would make for really inspiring feed - we base them in Singapore and when China starts feeling their oats. China launches a whole bunch of their Saccades and if there are Independence class LCSs in the US task group responding, we could be watching them burn to the waterline, as the all aluminum design melts.

I look at naval design for a living. From the start I knew LCS was a bad idea. Seeing the current political wrangling confirms my beliefs. At this point, I dismount my soapbox.