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US Navy to retire two 'mini' warships worth $1.2bn up to 14 years early because they were designed to fight ISIS, not China, and they keep breaking down
[Daily Mail, where America gets its news]
  • The USS Freedom, which was commissioned in 2008, will be decommissioned from the active fleet on September 30 after 13 years of service

  • The USS Independence, which was commissioned in 2010 is set to decommission on July 31 after 11 years

  • Both littoral combat ships - which are designed for operations close to shore - were expected to have a 25-year service life

  • Each was expected to cost around $220 million to build, but costs ended up swelling to $600 million apiece

  • Both ships will be joining the reserve fleet after they are decommissioned

  • They were originally commissioned for the War on Terror, but are not properly equipped to combat warships from China and Russia

  • The Littoral Combat Ships have small crews and were designed for operations close to shore

  • They have been marred by lack of use and mechanical failures

  • Some sailors have nicknamed the fleet the 'Little Cr*ppy Ships'

Posted by: Skidmark 2021-05-19
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=602209