US Navy LCS Program: Lessons for the Pakistan Navy
Dr. Md. M. Hossain
The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) was designed to exploit simplicity and numbers, fast reconfiguration and technology development in electronics and robotics. While these aims were commendable, the USN was unable actually create a warship that could fulfill its’ primary missions. The program has been a failure with early termination and massive decrease in numbers to be procured.
The LCS was designed to operate in shallow waters and be able to deal with asymmetric threats. At the same time, the USN wanted the LCS to fulfill low-end filler roles for the naval fleet. Weighing at 2800–3100 tons, the ships could easily be classified as frigates, however, they are less heavily armed than contemporary frigates, while retaining their shallow water capability and speeds of 40–50 knots.
Some of the innovative new aspects of the LCS are use of unmanned UAV, essentially an unmanned helicopter, UUV and USV. With major technological leaps in information technology and robotics, it would be important for PN to also consider investing in a road-map to effectively gain this capability.
Another key aspect is that the LCS can swap modules and gain, lose or exchange capabilities. If PN wishes to follow a similar route with its ships, the planning has to be now, as swap-able modules cannot be fitted retroactively. Rather, long-term planning is needed to ensure modules are sized and standardized for navy-wide use, and modularity is planned across the future fleet. Different types of modules can give PN flexibility to operate. Modules to considered could potentially include mine warfare, ASW, anti-drone, various UUV / UAV / USV and EW modules.
The risk of taking lessons from the LCS is to replicate its failure — cost overruns, time overruns and capability shortfalls. However, the way forward is clearly headed towards the basic aims of the LCS of greater robotics and electronics, as well as modular capabilities. Can PN take up the challenge and succeed where the USN faltered?
