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The whole littoral combat ship concept has failed: The US Navy planned 55, ordered 32, has 27 left — and just retired one at 56 percent of its life

The U.S. Navy officially decommissioned the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) on July 29, 2026, during a ceremony at Naval Base San Diego after nearly 14 years of service.
War on the Rocks

Missing the Big Picture on the Littoral Combat Ship

The Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), or frigates (FF) as future variants of the LCS will be called, have been a ripe subject for hyperbole and strawmen in contemporary debates over military acquisition ...
Maritime Executive

Lost in the Small Surface Combatant Wilderness

Between January 13 and 15, the 38th Annual Surface Navy Symposium convened in Crystal City, Virginia, offering a detailed look at the state of the surface fleet. Senior leaders—from the Secretary of ...