Correction: LCS is 6% Overweight

Geoff Fein of Defense Daily (subscription required) is setting the record straight on the latest LCS news, so I intend to follow his lead. Last week Reuters reported Freedom was overweight by 4%, but according to the Navy, that wasn't exactly right.

On Friday, the Navy said the weight gain was actually 6 percent and not 4 percent as previously reported. However, even a 6 percent increase in the ship's weight isn't cause for concern, the Navy added.

"As we have said before, during trials LCS-1 Freedom demonstrated exceptional speed, stable riding characteristics, and ship handling responsiveness," Lt. Clayton Doss, a Navy spokesman, said. "Freedom's maneuverability in restricted waters was outstanding. Open water maneuverability ahead and astern at the full range of ship speeds exceeded expectations."

If the ship is approximately 3000 tons as the Lockheed Martin Team website suggests, then the ship is overweight approximately 180 tons, which is 90% the total weight of the expected mission modules. It is still unclear if the extra weight is above or below the center of gravity, so we will have to wait and see. If I was guessing, based on the statements, speed trials, and some odd contracts for alloys we have seen come out of the DoD for the LCS contract, I would guess it is below the center of gravity. If true, this would actually help the stability of the ship, except when it is taking on water from damage...

Weight problems are not uncommon in first in class ships, and the article goes on to suggest that "during two post delivery availabilities" the ship will be modified to address the weight problem. Ultimately, we will have to wait and see.

While we are on the subject of the LCS, I want to list out in more detail the program to date:

The 1st LCS funded in FY05 became LCS-1 Freedom delivered to Navy September 18, 2008.

The 2nd LCS funded in FY06 became LCS-2 Independence under construction; ship launched April 26, 2008.

The 3rd LCS funded in FY06 became LCS-3 but was canceled by the Navy in April 2007 after being placed under contract due to inability to come to agreement with contractor on revised (fixed-price) contract terms for LCSs 1 and 3.

The 4th LCS funded in FY06 became LCS-4 but was canceled by Navy in November 2007 after being placed under contract due to inability to come to agreement with contractor on revised (fixed-price) contract terms for LCSs 2 and 4.

The 5th LCS funded in FY07 was canceled by Navy in March 2007 before being placed under contract as part of LCS program restructuring; funds reapplied to cover other program costs.

The 6th LCS funded in FY07 was canceled by Navy in March 2007 before being placed under contract as part of LCS program restructuring; funds reapplied to cover other program costs.

The 7th LCS funded in FY08 became LCS-5 but had her funds rescinded by Congress in September 2008 as part of FY09 defense appropriations act.

8th LCS funded in FY09 was funded in the FY09 defense appropriations act.

9th LCS funded in FY09 was funded in the FY09 defense appropriations act.

Defense Daily also included this in its Defense Watch feature that runs on Mondays.

In the coming weeks the Navy is expected to release LCS- 1's tour schedule, as the ship departs the Great Lakes region for transit to Norfolk, Va. Freedom will be commissioned in Milwaukee, Wis., Nov. 8. After commissioning, Freedom is expected to make several stops, including a visit to Canada, as it transits the St. Lawrence Seaway, a Navy source says. There is also the possibility the ship could make a call at the Naval Academy.

As I understand it, and I could be wrong, the Navy will compete the LCS in a 3/2 winner takes 3 buy with the 2 FY09 ships and the 3 FY10 ships, but will go ahead and issue contracts for the two FY09 ships before FY10. In other words, the Navy plan appears to be to continue competitive bids for bulk buys, which would keep both versions of the LCS alive until at least FY11, but probably beyond.