Unlimited requirements undermine an affordable frigate

Each additional capability consumes money, space and engineering effort. Giving LCS a new category name also removed familiar comparisons with frigates that could have forced more realistic limits, in this interpretation of the programme. A hypothetical tank with surface-to-air and anti-tank missiles, a large gun, extensive protection, high speed and all-terrain mobility exposes the physical problem. Its weight could prevent transport by train or aircraft and make ordinary road transport impractical. Moving it overseas could require specially designed ships carrying only a few vehicles at a time. The naval equivalent is a ship expected to do everything while remaining cheap enough to produce in large numbers.