Cost, quality problems dog Navy's LCS warship

A decade-old, multibillion-dollar attempt by the Navy to develop a radically different family of warships is reeling from cost overruns, structural problems and doubts about the design, staffing, role and survivability of the speedy new vessels.

This month, a bipartisan group of seven U.S. senators demanded that the Pentagon explain why Freedom, the first of the new littoral combat ships, suffered a small but worrisome crack in its hull and had to return to its homeport of San Diego for repairs.

The group, led by Arizona Republican and former naval aviator John McCain, also asked why an even newer, different version of the ship named Independence developed “aggressive” corrosion in its propulsion system.

The problem may have slowed its move to San Diego, which will be home to the first 12 of the 55 LCS ships that are planned.

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