Accordingly, Greenert says he initiated “several independent studies to assess LCS across several aspects of the ‘man, train, quip and maintain domain’ to support the rotational deployment of USS Freedom (and follow-on ships) to Singapore, beginning in 2013.”

The CNO also says, “Addressing challenges identified by these studies, on the timeline we require, necessitates the establishment of an empowered council to drive action across acquisition, requirements and fleet enterprises of the Navy.”

The Navy says its efforts are now focused on transitioning from testing initial “research and development” ships to operationally employing LCS and ensuring the Navy is prepared to man, train, and equip the class in the most efficient and effective manner.

LCS-1 is built by Lockheed Martin, and LCS-2 by a team led by General Dynamics and Austal USA. Aviation Week’s investigations into LCS-1, the USS Freedom, uncovered problems with the ship far worse than the Navy previously had acknowledged.

And a recent review of documents and emails about the Freedom revealed that some service officials actively suppressed discussion of negative LCS-1 test reports during a crucial period when the service was still considering a downselect between the two seaframes (Aerospace DAILY, May 15, Aug. 17).