World Affairs Board - View Single Post - USS Independence (LCS-2)

Sea Toby · 05-06-2008, 16:30 PM

Does anybody have any idea why the GD version is taking so long to get built?

Is this directly related to a desire to keep costs low? Does a slower building pace lead to lower cost?[/quote]

The Lockheed Martin LCS was purchased a year earlier. The Northrup Grumman ship had more infrastructure expenses at the start. Actually a slower building pace increases the cost, manual labor is priced by the hour.
While the US Navy wants the LCS, they no longer wish to build only an ocean escort, many in Congress would rather buying an ocean escort similar to the Coast Guard's new Bertholf, more like a frigate. She is over budget too, but her price is expected to come down further than either Freedom or Independence littoral combat ships.

05-06-2008, 16:30 PM	#26 (permalink)
Sea Toby Patron Join Date: 01-24-06 Posts: 223	Does anybody have any idea why the GD version is taking so long to get built? Is this directly related to a desire to keep costs low? Does a slower building pace lead to lower cost?[/quote] The Lockheed Martin LCS was purchased a year earlier. The Northrup Grumman ship had more infrastructure expenses at the start. Actually a slower building pace increases the cost, manual labor is priced by the hour. While the US Navy wants the LCS, they no longer wish to build only an ocean escort, many in Congress would rather buying an ocean escort similar to the Coast Guard's new Bertholf, more like a frigate. She is over budget too, but her price is expected to come down further than either Freedom or Independence littoral combat ships. __________________ http://homepage.mac.com/donclark/.Public/waglogo.gif Last edited by Sea Toby : 05-06-2008 at 16:33 PM.