The thing that gets me about the LCS is, it just looks like an updated version of the FF-1075 that I spent 3 years on. Now I’m sure everything is updated...but we had a 5” gun, missiles, torps, CIWS, Helo. We also had a sonar dome and a very reliable oil fired boiler for power. For a small ship I thought the “Trippe” was a very effective and versatile ship. I can’t remember the Skipper ever complaining that we couldn’t get close enough to the shore.
Granted I know we have to have new ships (they don’t last forever) - but the LCS design doesn’t look all that “revolutionary” to me.
P.S. We also had a fantail that wasn’t part of the flight deck. Where do you throw the slop off of an LCS? Where do you go to smoke and spread rumors?
I agree. The LCS ships are fast. Very fast. But USS Trippe was a more capable ASW, ASUW and ASW platform. Better sensors and better weapons.