Posted on Jul 11, 2017
The Navy Is Looking for a New Frigate to Replace the Troubled Littoral Combat Ship
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Everyone knows the LCS is a waste of money and manpower. Too much money for to little capability. In the article the Navy wants to develop a ship capable of being a sensor platform for the fleet, an outer ring defense ship for strike groups, and ship capable of countering anti-ship and missiles and capable of independent operations. Basically a replacement for the Perry class frigates that left service a few years ago.
Ships cost money. To continue to purchase DDGs, L class ships, SSNs, and a new SSBN, as well as the occasion carrier, where is this money going to come from and is there where we should spend the money? Is there an alternative?
I think there is an alternative. The US Navy should be looking to purchase smaller 1000T 200-250 foot sized corvettes or patrol sized ships. These ships have the same or greater firepower as an LCS, can have better sensors, can also carry a helicopter (UAV with sensors), and can do do the same or more than a Perry Class frigate could. Plus the big thing is that they are cheaper than the LCS and way cheaper than a larger FFG(X). The goal is instead of buying a few highly capable ships, the Navy buys many more smaller slightly less capable ships. By forward deploying these smaller patrol ships they can be flexed to support carrier strike groups when in the local area and other missions when a carrier is not present. They bring more sensors and more defensive and offensive weapons systems to the fight as well. The Navy could also man these ships with less personnel and place senior LTs as the captain of the ship. This allows younger officers to gain leadership experience and weed out bad leaders.
Thoughts?
Ships cost money. To continue to purchase DDGs, L class ships, SSNs, and a new SSBN, as well as the occasion carrier, where is this money going to come from and is there where we should spend the money? Is there an alternative?
I think there is an alternative. The US Navy should be looking to purchase smaller 1000T 200-250 foot sized corvettes or patrol sized ships. These ships have the same or greater firepower as an LCS, can have better sensors, can also carry a helicopter (UAV with sensors), and can do do the same or more than a Perry Class frigate could. Plus the big thing is that they are cheaper than the LCS and way cheaper than a larger FFG(X). The goal is instead of buying a few highly capable ships, the Navy buys many more smaller slightly less capable ships. By forward deploying these smaller patrol ships they can be flexed to support carrier strike groups when in the local area and other missions when a carrier is not present. They bring more sensors and more defensive and offensive weapons systems to the fight as well. The Navy could also man these ships with less personnel and place senior LTs as the captain of the ship. This allows younger officers to gain leadership experience and weed out bad leaders.
Thoughts?
The Navy Is Looking for a New Frigate to Replace the Troubled Littoral Combat Ship
Posted from popularmechanics.com
111x: Surface Warfare Officer
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 2
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Bring back some of the Perry ships as gun platforms to fight smugglers and pirates.
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Sir - I think it would be a great idea to take a proven platform and upgrade it to US standards in comms and weapons. In reality, though, we have a history of not doing this. All you have to do is look at LCS, where there was a much more capable platform at a much cheaper price (that actually works without breaking down), but we needed to build 2 different platforms in 2 different shipyards.
The real thing, I think, is always manning. And by that, can the Navy get enough senior LT's (would they be 2nd tour DH jobs) to fill the needs?
I do believe that there needs to be a smaller ship that can do missions, where you don't necessarily need to take a DDG away from other areas.
My 2 cents, and I would have given anything to get an LT command!!!
The real thing, I think, is always manning. And by that, can the Navy get enough senior LT's (would they be 2nd tour DH jobs) to fill the needs?
I do believe that there needs to be a smaller ship that can do missions, where you don't necessarily need to take a DDG away from other areas.
My 2 cents, and I would have given anything to get an LT command!!!
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CDR (Join to see)
Brad, thanks for the response. I'm an aviator and I wold want to see more SWOs get early command opportunities. It makes for better leaders overall. You are right we do a poor acquisition job. I think we could get enough senior LTs into those command billets. Second tour DH might just work. If the Coast Guard can do it I am sure we can.
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Suspended Profile
I think it is absolutely needed. VADM Rowden fired another Freedom class skipper because of engineering failures. This is grossly misplaced. The Freedom class is an absolute disaster, and all of them should be taken off line. IT is NOT the fault of the CO XO or Engineer, that these ships were very poorly designed and built.
When every ship in both LCS classes has engineering failures, it is clear this class is a piece of junk. CO's should be given LOM's for agreeing to serve in them, not fired because of the inevitable.
LCDR (Join to see) CAPT Kevin B.
When every ship in both LCS classes has engineering failures, it is clear this class is a piece of junk. CO's should be given LOM's for agreeing to serve in them, not fired because of the inevitable.
LCDR (Join to see) CAPT Kevin B.
CDR (Join to see)
Rabbah, thanks for responding. That should be another feature of the next class is ease of maintenance and use.
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LT Louis McKellar
Isn't the reward for doing a good job the absence of punishment?
That being said, those ships were not well thought out.
That being said, those ships were not well thought out.
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