Pentagon official: Navy to buy more combat ships

The Navy is likely to buy more combat ships that can easily and swiftly maneuver in shallow waters as the threat of piracy and other dangers grow, according to the Pentagon's acquisition chief.

The service currently plans to buy 55 of the so-called Littoral Combat Ship, a small surface vessel that can move close to shore, from either Lockheed Martin Corp. or General Dynamics Corp.

But John Young, the Pentagon's top weapons buyer, said Monday the Navy is likely to buy 64 or more of the vessels, which cost about $550 million each.

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