Post-Cold War ambitions for technological transformation provide context for the move away from the basic Perry frigate. In this account, Donald Rumsfeld's vision of technologically superior forces encouraged the expectation that advanced equipment could deter challengers. The Littoral Combat Ship pursued flexibility and speed for inshore operations. Denmark's Absalon and Iver Huitfeldt classes illustrate the attraction of flexible mission arrangements, though direct American borrowing from them is suggested rather than established. The alternative considered is to retain a conventional frigate for escort work while developing a separate littoral vessel.
Chapter · 5:39-9:23
Post-Cold War transformation and the move toward LCS
Technological-transformation ambitions provide the context for replacing a conventional Perry successor with the Littoral Combat Ship.