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Navy to get new type of small combat vessel

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel orders the Navy to acquire a third, more capable littoral combat ship variant.

By Richard Tomkins
The Freedom variant of the littoral combat ship. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James R. Evans.
The Freedom variant of the littoral combat ship. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James R. Evans.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- A new type of small multi-mission combat ship, with capabilities consistent with that of a frigate, is to be designed for the U.S. Navy.

The vessel was ordered by U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, who said he was concerned that the Navy "was relying too heavily on the littoral combat ship to meet long-term targets for the size of its fleet."

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"I specifically asked the Navy to consider completely new designs, existing ship designs, and modified LCS designs; and to provide their recommendations to me in time to inform the president's fiscal year 2016 defense budget," he said late last week.

"After rigorous review and analysis, today (Thursday) I accepted the Navy's recommendation to build a new small surface combatant ship based on upgraded variants of the LCS. The new SSC will offer improvements in ship lethality and survivability, delivering enhanced naval combat performance at an affordable price."

The littoral combat ship, which would primarily conduct its missions in close to shore waters, are modular and focused-mission platform that can be tailored for mine-sweeping, surface warfare, and anti-submarine warfare.

The new small surface combatant, or SSC, will be more capable of deep ocean operations, including support of carrier strike groups.

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There are two variants of the ship – one of them featuring a trimaran hull. The Independence variant is a product of Austal USA, while the prime contract for the Freedom variant is held by Lockheed Martin.

Hagel said the Defense Department will not undertake any negotiations for the building of more than 32 of the ships. Instead the service will look at a total of 52 vessels, comprised of LCS and the new small surface combatant, or SSC, ships.

"Production of the new SSC will begin no later than fiscal year 2019, and there will be no gap between production of the last LCS and the first SSC," he said. "A significant advantage to this approach is the ability to enhance naval combat performance by back-fitting select SSC improvements to the LCS fleet."

The SSC ships, which will be able to operate far at sea and will feature improved air defense radar; air defense decoys; a new, more effective electronic warfare system; an over-the-horizon anti-ship missile; multi-function towed array sonar; torpedo defenses; and additional armor protection.

"With increased lethality and survivability, the modified LCS will provide the flexibility to operate both independently and as a part of an aggregated force," the Navy said of the SSCs. "This decision allows the Navy to add organic multi-mission capabilities to the small surface combatant force while leveraging the benefits and affordability of the LCS program.

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