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The bill also ties the next Defense Secretary’s hands somewhat on the controversial Littoral Combat Ship, in particular because it requires keeping both shipyards currently building LCS — Austal and Marinette Marine — until one has won a competition to build the upgraded frigate version. The House also tried to add a third LCS to 2017’s production plan to ensure both yards have enough work, but the final conference report cut the number of ships back down to two.

“It’s my understanding that the two LCS is enough to keep the two shipyards alive,” Courtney told me. “The new administration should get a chance to take a look at this program before Congress made some existential choice” such as eliminating one of the two yards

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