Yet, more are still being built.
Has the U.S. Navy now found a good role for these ships?
This is just one of the questions that Peter Suciu explores in this article.
TheIndependence-class littoral combat ship USSMobile(LCS 26) alongside theNimitz-class aircraft carrierUSSTheodore Roosevelt(CVN 71). Image: MCS3C Richard Tinker/U.S. Navy
That paved the way for the module to be installed on the USSCanberra(LCS-30) in April 2024.
The significance of the MCM module cant be overstated.
Thats not just hyperbole, at least not entirely.
The USSIndependence(LCS 2) demonstrates its maneuvering capabilities in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. Image: MCS2C Daniel M. Young/U.S. Navy
Instead, the U.S. Navy sought to develop smaller vessels that could combat missile-firing boats and even small submarines.
Smaller than theOliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, the LCS was meant to combine speed and flexibility.
The U.S. Navy even adopted two unique variants.
TheIndependence-class littoral combat ship USSTulsa(LCS 16) departs Commander, Fleet Activities Okinawa White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan in 2021. Image: MCS1C David Krigbaum/U.S. Navy
The Austal USA-designed and builtIndependence-class, a 421-foot-long all-aluminum vessel that featured a trimaran stabilized mono-hull.
It was meant to allow for flight operations from its helicopters in sea state five (rough) conditions.
Lack of Support from Washington D.C.
The USSSavannah(LCS 28) sails in the Pacific Ocean during a mine countermeasure (MCM) live-fire training exercise off the coast of San Clemente Island in 2022. Image: MCS1C Sara Eshleman/U.S. Navy
In addition to the aforementioned problems, lawmakers on Capitol Hill were being a bit bipolar on the program.
(More on that in a minute.)
Perhaps had that been the core problem, it could have been resolved with those mission modules.
The USSOakland(LCS 24) at Changi Naval Base, Singapore in 2023. It was part of Destroyer Squadron 7 in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation. Image: MCS2C Sang Kim/U.S. Navy
Both vessels left the fleet after just 11 years in service,far shorter than their expected 25-year lifespan.
But that isnt even the worst of it.
The U.S. Army has deployed a ground-based variant known as the Typhon since 2023.
The USSCoronado(LCS 4) was commissioned in 2014 and decommissioned in 2022. It is currently tied up in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Image: Doug Sayers/U.S. Navy
Each of those vessels is equipped with sonar and video systems, cable cutters, and a mine-detonating equipment.
It allows the mines to be collected and even detonated remotely.
In addition, theAvengerclass can conduct conventional mine-sweeping measures.
The USSIndependencepulls out of Naval Station Mayport. It has since been decommissioned years ahead of its expected service life. Image: U.S. Navy
Matthew Lehmann, program manager of the LCS Mission Modules program office, last year after USSCanberrareceived the module.
If the deployments prove successful, the U.S. Navy would then divest its legacyAvenger-class ships in favor of theIndependenceclass.
However, this is still from an ideal solution.
The littoral combat ships USSIndependence, left, and USSCoronadounderway in the Pacific Ocean. Both have since been decommissioned. Image: MCS Keith DeVinney/U.S. Navy
USSIndependencearrives at Mole Pier at Naval Air Station Key West in Florida. Image: PO2 Nicholas Kontodiakos/U.S. Navy
The Navy intends to replace the purpose-builtAvenger-class mine countermeasure ships with theIndependence-class ships like the USSSavannah. Image: MCS1C Sara Eshleman/U.S. Navy
Sailors with the USSCincinnati(LCS 20) observe as a U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper helicopter receives fuel and ordnance in 2023. Image: Chief Warrant Officer Trent Randolph/U.S.M.C.
The USSKansas City(LCS 22) sails under the Golden Gate Bridge during the parade of ships in support of San Francisco Fleet Week. Image: MCS3C Terrin Hartman/U.S. Navy
