Quote:
Originally Posted by B.Smitty
They're at least keeping LCS-1 right?
They should experiment with it and LCS-2 and perhaps other concepts like FSF-1, the Austal MRC, and HSV-1 in real-world situations for a year or two.
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LCS-1 will be completed and will have sea trails later this year. There are some rumors abounding that may have factored into the USN decision. I have heard and read a number of potentially knowledgeable people say that LCS-1 sea trials are expected to be a disaster for LM. There is a rumor that LCS-1 can only achieve an expected 33-38 knots, not 40 knots like stated, and that there are some other 'issues' as well that will probably be revealed in sea trials.
In the end, Sea Trial results of LCS-1 may reveal information the Navy already has that helps explain why cost wasn't the only factor in the revoke of the contract.
LCS-2 and LCS-4 are still "go" at this time, although they are also facing cost issues.
FSF-1 is altogether different. I have heard speculation that it may be participating directly with HSV-2 this summer in the GFS pilot, but haven't seen any news reports about it. Either way, FSF-1 has been repaired from its incident last year and is now operating with SOUTHCOM.