Clash of Strategies: Capability Or Capacity, Today Or Tomorrow?

Clash of Strategies: Capability Or Capacity, Today Or Tomorrow?
Clash of Strategies: Capability Or Capacity, Today Or Tomorrow?

As the Pentagon finishes its strategic review, the stage is set for another struggle over whether to ready for a high-end war with Russia or China or just manage the current, much lower intensity battles around the world. In military terms it’s a choice between capability and capacity. The outcome will shape the four services…

LCS Lives: They Still Count In Age Of Frigates

LCS Lives: They Still Count In Age Of Frigates
LCS Lives: They Still Count In Age Of Frigates

Yes, the Navy has cut short its Littoral Combat Ship program and started work on a bigger, tougher, better-armed frigate. But the small ships will still be big part of the future fleet, experts we spoke to agreed, and the frigate will carry on much of the LCS legacy. It’s true the Navy’s needs have…

Polmar’s Navy: Trade LCS & Carriers For Frigates & Amphibs

Polmar’s Navy: Trade LCS & Carriers For Frigates & Amphibs
Polmar’s Navy: Trade LCS & Carriers For Frigates & Amphibs

WASHINGTON: Defense Secretary Ashton Carter wants to cut the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship program to buy more missiles, aircraft, and upgrades to ships. That’s good as far as it goes, eminent naval historian and analyst Norman Polmar told me this morning — “in my opinion the decision should have been five years ago” — but it’s…

Birthing Ships is Never Easy; Give LCS A Break

Birthing Ships is Never Easy; Give LCS A Break
Birthing Ships is Never Easy; Give LCS A Break

The chorus of criticism facing the first ships of the Navy’s new Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class calls for a little historical context to be brought to this debate. Almost all new ship classes experienced considerable “birthing pains” in their early days. This is not new. Indeed, the first six frigates acquired by the American Navy in…