Surface Navy 2019: US Navy looks to future fleet ambitions
As the US Navy maps out a long term plan for its future surface fleet a service official said that the problematic Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme was now doing ‘just fine’.
Speaking on 15 January at the annual Surface Navy Association event in Washington, DC, VADM Richard Brown, commander, naval surface forces/commander, naval surface force, US Pacific Fleet, said that the LCS are capable ships but acknowledged that ‘the class really starts at LCS 5’ with LCS 1 through 4 seen more as research and development vessels.
Brown also said that the LCS would be deployed ‘this year’.
The
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Coast Guard orders 10 additional Fast Response Cutters
The USCG exercised a $507 million contract option for the acquisition of 10 extra FRCs. This new order will raise the total number of Sentinel-class vessels procured by the service from 67 to 77.
-
DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology
At DSEI 2025, Red Cat outlines its expansion from UAVs into uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), positioning itself as a multi-domain defence provider spanning land, sea, and air.
-
Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract
The vessels are expected to deliver a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities, with production set to start immediately.
-
Royal Canadian Navy will start operating class 2 UAVs in 2028
Acquired under Canada’s Department of National Defence ISTAR UAS project, the drones will be deployed from the Halifax-class frigates.