House Backs Navy Littoral Combat Ship Funding, Despite Recent Criticism

As lawmakers are scolding the Navy for lack of communication regarding its Littoral Combat Ship program – mainly its cost, schedule and performance, a House panel has now backed up the Navy plans in adding four more Littoral Combat Ships.

According to Bloomberg, The Navy requested $2.24 billion for the ships, including $429.4 million in development funds. The Littoral Combat Ship is designed to clear mines, hunt for submarines and provide humanitarian relief in shallow coastal waters. The Navy is projected to have about 55 ships in the class, about 17 percent of their fleet.

The House Armed Services sea power panel approved the funding as part of a $37 billion program, but implemented an amendment demanding a complete briefing 30 days after the annual defense authorization measure is signed into law. However, the full committee still has to review the amendment next week when it considers action on the entire defense budget.

The Project on Government Oversight recently issued a report based on year-old Navy documents that provided additional details on cracks, flooding and corrosion with the first vessel, built by Lockheed Martin Corp. The Navy said those flaws have been corrected. However, lawmakers are now increasingly aware of these recurring issues.

Photo (thumb): The trimaran USS Independence (LCS-2)