LCS and the "Family of Ships"

LCS is part of the Surface Combatant "Family of Ships": In addition to the U.S. Navy's next-generation destroyer, DDG 1000, and cruiser, CG(X), the Surface Combatant Family of Ships concept calls for the introduction of a new Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). Secretary of the Navy, Gordon England, described this new ship as "a small, fast, maneuverable, and relatively inexpensive member of the Surface Combatant Family of Ships, which will begin construction in FY 2005. The goal is to develop a platform that can be fielded in relatively large numbers to support a wide range of joint missions, with reconfigurable mission modules to assure access to the littorals for our Navy forces in the face of threats from surface craft, submarines, and mines."
  • LCS complements, but does not replace, the capabilities of
    DDG 1000 and CG(X).
    • DDG 1000: Multi-mission ship with enhanced precision strike and volume fires capability
    • CG(X): Multi-mission ship follow-on to DDG 1000 with enhanced Missile Defense/Air Warfare capability
    • LCS: Focuses on littoral MIW, ASUW, and ASW asymmetric threats
  • Spiral development propogates technologies throughout the Family of Ships
  • Netted Family of Ships enables total maritime battlespace dominance