Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:29:51-2:31:24

Frigate missions and criticism of the Littoral Combat Ship

The criticism of the Littoral Combat Ship centers on its reuse of frigate missions under a new name, especially task-force anti-submarine warfare.

Anti-Submarine WarfareDonald RumsfeldFrigatesLittoral Combat ShipNaval ProcurementUS Navy
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Question

Why does the U.S. Navy appear to dislike frigates?

Short answer

The explanation offered blames a view that frigates were outdated, while arguing that the Littoral Combat Ship retained many of their missions under another name.

Notes

Clarke attributes the U.S. Navy's move away from frigates to Donald Rumsfeld's view that the category was outdated. His criticism is that the Littoral Combat Ship reintroduced frigate tasks, including task-force anti-submarine warfare, under a new name. The missions remained necessary despite the change in terminology. The closing comments express a preference to keep LCS vessels away from combat, conveying the participants' assessment of the ships.