The littoral combat ship is a type of surface warship, part of the Navy's fleet, designed to fight close to shore against smaller vessels. They are small and quick. They can also be maneuvered easily. They are most commonly used for interdiction, maritime safety and special operations.
These ships are being made for navies all over the globe, as well as the United States. They replace the Osprey/Osprey guided missile frigates of the Oliver Hazard Perry, Osprey, and Avenger classes, which were largely retired from active service.
There are two types of littoral combat ships. The Independence class is built on a trimaran and the Freedom class uses a traditional, steel hull. Both are being built by different shipyards.
The LCS does not have enough anti-submarine capacity. That is one of its major problems. The LCS has been unable to provide sufficient anti-submarine capability, which has caused delays in their ability to carry out their mission sets. According to the US Government Accountability Office, the ships did not have the operational capabilities they were designed to offer.
Another issue with the Littoral Combat Ship is that they are extremely expensive to operate. Defense News claims that the ships can run up to $70million each. This is more than what an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer would cost to operate.
Additionally, the ships could have mechanical problems in the past that might make it difficult for potential buyers to afford them. This is especially true for South American countries which may be tempted to buy them, but would then be confronted by the high cost and absence of anti-submarine capability.
Also, structural defects can cause cracks in the hulls of ships. According to Navy Times documents these cracks can affect their speed and sea conditions.
Half of the fleet's ships have been affected by this problem, including the three first ships that were delivered to the U.S Navy. These ships were named USS Freedom (LCS 1), USS Independence (LCS 2), respectively.
It is also more costly for ships to operate due to their maintenance cost. This is due to Navy not reporting maintenance costs individually for each mission module. This can lead to an overestimation in O&S costs while these vessels remain in service.
This has made it almost impossible for the Navy plan for the future of littoral combat ships, and when they will need repairs or replacements. This is especially true in the Freedom class. The Freedom has been plagued for years by an engine issue. It requires a complex piece, called a "combining drive", to function properly.
These ships are designed to operate autonomously and require minimal staffing, but can be equipped with 70 crew members if needed. This is a major improvement on the original plan of 40 crew members for each ship.