The Navy recently announced that a down-select would occur between the two different LCS designs. Admiral Gary Roughead, quoted in the DOD Press Release stated that, “Down selecting now will improve affordability and will allow us to build LCS at a realistic cost and not compromise critical warfighting capabilities.” The Navy truncated the DDG-1000 program because the ship no longer represented the answer to the service’s estimation of future threats. The problem is the plan proposed by the Navy will likely not achieve its stated goal or provide it with the right ship, unless there are some changes in how it acquires the LCS, beyond the odd plan proposed in the DOD press release.
The latest iteration of the LCS acquisition plan will likely help the Navy make the cost target, but the service is not buying consumables, it is buying a capability as the CNO stated. How will they ensure they are really buying the needed capability?
The intent of buying four ships of two different designs was to experiment – to test different hull forms and equipment. The service is speeding up that process, to the detriment of the capability goal. LCS-1 is still testing, and though it will deploy earlier than the original 2012 schedule there may not be enough data to make an intelligent choice by the Navy’s deadline. The Navy has not yet taken delivery of LCS-2 and the opportunity for testing and experimentation will remain limited, less than LCS-2 and certainly will provide a significant basis for a possible appeal, should LCS-2 not prevail.
The Navy intends to select one sea frame, but each contractor’s equipment selection, from diesels to radar differs from the other. The DOD Press Release summed it up nicely; “This decision was reached after careful review of the fiscal 2010 industry bids, consideration of total program costs, and ongoing discussions with Congress.” Expense and political pressure are the prime motivators for this acquisition strategy and for the LCS-1 early deployment. Getting the best ship for the best price is an excellent motivation, getting the best capability is better. However, the Navy needs something from its acquisition system that it cannot provide – the best from each ship. Selecting the best from Column A and the best from Column B to produce Column C would give the Navy a much better ship, but only Congress can bless this path – because it will take a bit more time. Despite that, the Navy should try it for once. Hybrid Sailors serving on a hybrid ship, the result of testing and selection to give them the best of both ships. It would be a first, if it could ever be.
LCS Acquisition Strategy Change
DOD Press Release
http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12984
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