Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Oversight Issues and Options for Congress

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Abstract:

The Navy is procuring a new class of surface combatant called the Littoral Combat Ship LCS. The first LCS was procured in FY2005, another three were procured in FY2006, and two more were procured in FY2007. Current Navy plans call for procuring three LCSs in FY2008, and then about six per year in FY2009- FY2016, for a planned total of 55 ships. The LCS is a small, fast surface combatant that uses modular plug-and-fight mission packages, including unmanned vehicles UVs. The ships mission orientation can be changed by changing out its mission packages. The basic version of the LCS, without any mission packages, is referred to as the LCS sea frame. The LCSs primary intended missions are countering enemy mines, submarines, and fast attack craft in littoral near-shore waters. Secondary missions include intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance ISR maritime intercept special operations forces SOF support and logistics support for movement of personnel and supplies. The LCS is also mentioned in connection with the Navys role in what the Bush Administration refers to as the Global War on Terrorism GWOT.

Author(s):
O'rourke, Ronald
Author Organization(s):
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
Descriptive Note:
Congressional rept.
Supplementary Note:
CRS Report for Congress
Pagination:
0016

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
CRS-RL33741
Monitor Series:
CRS/DC
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_4_Logistics; JCA_4.2_Supply; JCA_4.2.3_Manage Global Supplier Networks; JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_4.6_Engineering; JCA_4.6.1_General Engineering; JCA_2_Battlespace Awareness; JCA_2.1_Planning and Direction; JCA_3_Force Application; JCA_3.2_Engagement; JCA_2.1.2_Develop Strategies; JCA_3.2.1_Kinetic Means; JCA_4.5_Operational Contract Support; JCA_5.3.3_Develop Strategy; JCA_7.2.1_Mitigate Lethal Effects; JCA_7.2_Mitigate; JCA_7_Protection; JCA_6.4.1_Secure Information Exchange; JCA_4.5.2_Contractor Management; JCA_4.5.3_Program Management
Modernization Areas:
Fully Networked C3
Communities of Interest:
Ground and Sea Platforms
Descriptor(s):
*NAVAL VESSELS(COMBATANT), LOGISTICS SUPPORT, CONGRESS, MISSIONS, RECONNAISSANCE, SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES, UNCONVENTIONAL WARFARE, NAVAL OPERATIONS, NAVAL PLANNING, LITTORAL ZONES
Field(s)/Group(s):
Marine Engineering
Keyword(s):
LCS(LITTORAL COMBAT SHIP), ISR(INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE AND RECONNAISSANCE), GWOT(GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM)
Report Date:
2006 Nov 30
Creation Date:
2007 Jan 10