High operating costs cloud the future of littoral combat ships, budget data reveals
By: David B. Larter   1 day ago
WASHINGTON — As the U.S. Navy’s littoral combat ship program battles reliability problems, it is also wrestling another and potentially just as fearsome bear: operating costs.
The service’s top officer said the original concept for a minimal crewing model — where as few as 32 sailors and eight officers manned the ship, and much of the maintenance burden fell to contractors — has driven up costs.
The answer? Put sailors back in charge of more maintenance, which means the Navy might need to add even more sailors to the crew.
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2021/04/12/high-operating-costs-cloud-the-future-of-littoral-combat-ships-budget-data-reveals/