The Navy is exploring new ways to use its fleet of Littoral Combat Ships, according to service officials who discussed plans for LCSs to be outfitted with the Naval Strike Missile and take on mine countermeasure missions in 5th Fleet. After saving five LCSs from early decommissioning, lawmakers directed the Navy to determine alternative uses for the remaining Freedom-class variants, which have struggled with the anti-submarine warfare mission module and their drive trains. The Navy had proposed early retirement for...
