A Government Accountability Office report pinned delays and cost overruns on the Navy decision to start building the first ship in the class before the design was finished, among other missteps. The ...

Littoral combat ships are prized for their abilities in coastal areas and open ocean, but the Freedom variant was quickly beset by costly issues.

Navy Secretary John Phelan said the move would enable the service to build other classes of ships faster. The Constellation-class has been facing delivery delays, design problems, and rising costs.