Executive Summary
This technical report evaluates the utility of Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) as logistics enablers in contested scenarios, focusing on their ability to provide supply and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) support. Utilizing discrete event simulation, the study assesses the performance of Freedom and Independence LCS variants under varying demand conditions and risk profiles. The findings offer insights into optimizing LCS roles for enhancing maritime readiness in future conflicts.
Why It Matters
This document is crucial for defense analysts as it assesses the operational viability of Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) for critical logistics and medical support in contested maritime environments, directly impacting future naval strategy and force projection capabilities.
Key Takeaways
- The Freedom variant of the LCS shows statistically significant improvements in maintaining supply levels with increased numbers of vessels.
Source evidence · PDF page 46
When comparing each variant across different numbers of available vessels, the Freedom variant shows a statistically significant improvement in maintaining supply levels from one to two vessels (P-Value = 0.000), from two to three vessels (P-Value= 0.000), and from three to four vessels (P-Value= 0.005).
- The Independence variant consistently outperforms the Freedom variant in managing routine MEDEVAC queues, demonstrating lower patient numbers and less variation.
Source evidence · PDF page 48
In evaluating routine MEDEVAC support, the Independence variant consistently maintains a lower average number of routine patients in queue and lower variation across all numbers of available vessels.
- The study's analytical model, using discrete event simulation, provides a framework for evaluating LCS performance in sustainment operations within contested environments, considering supply levels and MEDEVAC queues over time.
Source evidence · PDF page 58
This study presented an analytical model to assess the performance of both LCS variants. The model simulated basic sustainment support operations within a contested environment. Key characteristics of the contested environment integrated into the model included varying sustainment policies for resupply and MEDEVAC support, risk-based server selection, and stochastic demand.
Strategic Relevance
This research directly informs U.S. Navy strategic planning by evaluating the potential of existing Littoral Combat Ships to fill critical logistics and medical evacuation gaps in contested maritime environments, particularly relevant for distributed operational concepts and great power competition.