The LCS is a DISASTER in the making.
We need 50-100 hulls in the 3,000 - 4,500 Ton class with all the modern voodoo.
With that voodoo you can get crew size down to about 100.
I'm a big believer in the Ingalls "Patrol Frigate 4921" with the 12,000nm range and 60 day endurance. Harpoon and VLS for SM-3. All the voodoo.
Buy 50 of them and they'll be but $300-$350 Mil per copy.
Very sweet ship and exactly what the USN needs today.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2012/01/ingalls_presenting_patrol_frig.html
I have seen the 4921 and like it. Here’s a thread on a Sino defense forum I posted regarding it.
US Navy Patrol frigate proposal shown at DIMDEX
http://www.sinodefenceforum.com/world-armed-forces/us-navy-patrol-frigate-design-shown-dimdex-ingalls-5929.html?langid=3
Good discussion there.
This USNI Proceedings proposal is also a good one and we do need them.
We have to get a CINC and congress in there who will build them.
He was far from my 1st choice, but I have to say that Romney has some good ideas and things to say about the military and US Navy needs.