Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark today predicted the Navy would buy between 30 and 60 Littoral Combat Ships to counter dangerous threats in the littorals. Clark stressed the service should develop the ships as soon as possible but gave no specific schedule. These vessels -- called "LCS" for short -- are expected to be smaller and faster than the Navy's most powerful warships. LCS is intended to deal with mines, diesel submarines and small boats close to shore...
