Surface Forces: LCS Fades To Frigate | Wisconsin Procurement Institute

Surface Forces: LCS Fades To Frigate

February 11, 2015: In early 2105 the U.S. Navy decided to call their new LCS (Littoral Combat Ship) vessels frigates. This was not unexpected as in size and function the LCS ships were very comparable to frigates. This type of ship was created during World War II as “Destroyer Escorts” (or DE, versus DD for destroyer). These were basically destroyers that were slower (smaller engines), smaller (fewer weapons) and meant for escorting convoys and patrolling areas where major warships were not expected. The DEs proved more useful than expected and were retained after the war and eventually renamed as frigates (FF) type ships. The LCS was meant to be much more than a frigate and used a very innovative design. That did not work out as expected.