releases: http://byrne.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/byrne-navy-report-great-news-for-lcs-mobile
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://byrne.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/byrne-navy-report-great-news-for-lcs-mobile | Byrne: Navy Report Great News for LCS, Mobile | 2014-12-11 | 2014 | 2014-12 | Republican | House | AL | Bradley Byrne | B001289 | byrne.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Bradley Byrne (AL-1) responded today to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel’s decision on the future of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program. The decision reaffirms the Navy’s need for 52 ships in the fleet, up from 32 ships where Secretary Hagel had previously halted procurement of the current LCS variants. On Thursday afternoon, Secretary Hagel announced details of the Navy’s long anticipated “Small Surface Combatant Task Force” report. While full details of the report are not available at this time and likely won’t be made available due to the classified nature of the report, Secretary Hagel left no doubt the future of the LCS remains strong. Secretary Hagel indicated he agrees with the Navy’s decision to update the current versions of the LCS, making them more lethal and survivable, rather than designing a new ship, using a foreign design or repurposing another ship currently available in the fleet. He made it abundantly clear that the Navy has a requirement for 52 Small Surface Combatants and that requirement has not changed. Upgrades to the LCS will include an over-the-horizon surface missile, upgraded air defense radar, electronic warfare capability, air defense counter measures, twin 25mm cannons to supplement the 57mm gun on the bow, anti-submarine capability (including a towed listening device and torpedo countermeasures), unmanned aircraft capabilities and additional armor protection, amongst other upgrades recommended in the SSC Task Force report. Congressman Byrne has been an outspoken supporter of the LCS and has advocated for updating the current models rather than pursuing a less capable or more costly alternative. The Independence-class LCS is built in the Port of Mobile by Austal USA, providing 4,000 direct jobs in Alabama’s First Congressional District. Byrne said: “Secretary Hagel’s decision confirms what I have known all along: the Littoral Combat Ship represents the future of the Naval fleet. My staff and I have worked hard from day one to build broad support for this important military program, and this report is a very positive development. “One of the main selling points of the LCS originally was the ship’s adaptability. By upgrading the current LCS variants to improve lethality and survivability, the Navy is choosing to keep the industrial base in place and avoid the unnecessary costs of starting a new program. “I remain steadfastly committed to supporting the Navy in fighting for the LCS and the hard working men and women at the Austal shipyard in Mobile. At a time when we have such a wide range of threats, we need to make sure our military has all the tools in its arsenal to appropriately respond. The Littoral Combat Ship is a key piece to the puzzle.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |