Questions surround number of LCS to be built
When US Navy leaders headed to Capitol Hill to defend their Fiscal Year 2019 budget request, they laid out plans to increase their ship fleet and batted down questions about increasing the number of Littoral Combat Ships currently (LCS) to maintain shipbuilding production lines.
With just one LCS budgeted by the navy in FY19, Rep Martha Roby (R-AL) questioned if one ship is enough to sustain the production line. Roby’s district, second district Alabama, has many defence facilities within it and ten LCS suppliers reside in Alabama.
In response, Navy Secretary Richard Spencer said, ‘Between FY18 and FY19 having 4 LCS will provide them with… a good
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US turns to allies to tackle navy shipbuilding backlog]()
US turns to allies to tackle navy shipbuilding backlog
A White House memorandum acknowledges US Navy shipbuilding backlogs and a weakened industrial base, opening a formal path for South Korean and Japanese yards to help rebuild capacity.
-
![US Navy’s $275 billion BBGN plan hinges on shipyard transformation]()
US Navy’s $275 billion BBGN plan hinges on shipyard transformation
The US Navy’s planned nuclear-powered warship carries a US$275 billion price tag, but the greater story lies in the industrial overhaul needed to build it, from AI-enabled design to digital twins and modular construction.
-
![Industry sees opportunity in Australia’s shift to networked undersea warfare]()
Industry sees opportunity in Australia’s shift to networked undersea warfare
Australia’s new defence innovation strategy indicates a shift from platform-centric to network-centric undersea warfare, with Ocius and Anduril Industries pointing to fast-growing opportunities for local industry.
-
![Asia-Pacific emerges as the largest export market for US-made USVs]()
Asia-Pacific emerges as the largest export market for US-made USVs
Asian customers have placed one of the largest known international purchases of US-built uncrewed surface vessels, highlighting accelerating regional demand for autonomous maritime capabilities and distributed naval operations.
