POGO Calls for Deletion LCS

Project On Government Oversight (POGO), an organization dedicated to combating corruption and financial fraud, has asked the Congress with a request for canceling the type frigates Freedom .


USS Freedom, the first prototype Littoral Combat Ship class Ship (LCS), Lockheed Martin is positively evaluated by the commanders of the U.S. Navy. According to POGO, they conceal a series of major faults.

POGO representatives in a letter to lawmakers asked for the resignation of the purchase of units in the LCS of the total, an estimated value of $ 120 billion (this figure includes the cost of living probably in the service, the cost of buying 55 ships is much lower). Based on reports the U.S. Navy, shows poor technical condition and the large number of competing types of faults on both frigates.


Regarding trimaran USS Independence , pointed out the fact of corrosion, which requires the referral of a new ship to dry dock. A much more serious allegations relate to built in a classical system the USS Freedom .

The letter stressed that in less than a thousand days - from the acceptance by the U.S. Navy frigate in August 2008 for inclusion in the dry dock last summer - reported 640 serious faults. For example, during the two-month sea voyage between bases in Florida and California, only 20% efficiency of the aircraft survived. The most serious accident occurred during the anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. Fault then the power supply has led to the exclusion of the gym and the main systems of the ship.


Even after the six-month work of shipyard band did not end in failure. This year, the ship put to sea only twice, each time noting the failure of the propulsion system and other key systems.

On this basis, the representatives of POGO request an immediate cancellation of the purchase of ships, Lockheed Martin or - at least - to allow the U.S. Navy verify the results of tender procedures, which in the framework agreements granting the right to build 10 new ships on both the structure.