The Defense Department‘s plans on the replacement platform for the final 20 Littoral Combat Ships is on hold following Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel‘s resignation, DoD Buzz reported Tuesday.Kris Osborn reports that Hagel was due to announce his decision in the past week based on recommendations from the U.S. Navy‘s Small Surface Combatant Task Force.
SSCTF has assessed several industry proposals on a new “survivable” design for future LCS vessels.
The LCS program originally covered 52 vessels in the current configuration and Hagel has sought a platform for a small surface combatant similar in design to a frigate, Osborn writes.
The report noted that it is still uncertain if the Pentagon will push through with Hagel’s planned decision or perform another review on SSCTF’s recommendations.
