USS Freedom LCS-1 soon and very soon

[Bort]

The thing that sets the LCS apart from previous ships is also what makes it a potential white elephant. The warfare modules are the achilles heel of the whole ship, they must be fitted prior to sailing (which may be very complicated and time consuming besides which you may load the wrong module for the scenario and have to return to port), the amount of modules themselves may be limited, impairing flexability, they will require different sailors which aren't normal members of the crew to come aboard to operate the modular systems, they rely primarily upon unproven UUV/UAV technologies for sucess, and they limit the amount of onboard weaponry that the ship can carry, ie. torpedo tubes and surface to surface missiles. Many foriegn countries have stated an interest in purchasing ships of the LCS design, but all have opted to have a traditional weapon/sensor fit, which should raise eyebrows in the US government.