U.S. Navy Issues Two RFIs for LCS Alternatives

The U.S. Navy has published two Requests for Information (RFIs) amid their search for possible alternatives to the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS).

According to Defense News, the first RFI asks for input on ship designs, while the second RFI is centered around combat systems including radars and weapons.

“We’re asking for existing and mature design concepts,” John Burrow, lead for the Small Surface Combatant (SSC) task force, told reporters at the Pentagon.

As Defense News reports, a task force in mid-March to supply the Navy with alternatives to the LCS. It has a July 31 deadline to submit its findings, which will “inform” the upcoming 2016 budget discussions, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said.

Burrow says the RFIs will “really kick the engagement for us” as the defense industry submits ideas.

“We’re not providing requirements in the RFIs,” Burrow said. “We’re looking for what systems and capabilities are out there right now. We’re not looking for them to do a design effort, but they’ve been thinking about this for some time, and I’m sure they have some good ideas.”