 Lateral combat ships, or LCS, are fast, agile mission-focused ships that demonstrate the latest in naval warfighting technology. LCS is specifically designed to defeat fast surface craft, quiet diesel submarines, and mines in shallow coastal water regions. There are currently two variants, freedom and independence. Although the two designs vary, both have the ability to be outfitted with reconfigurable mission modules, which can be changed out quickly. The crews currently rotate between the two deployed Lateral Combat Ships, allowing the crew to train and the ships to stay mission ready. The Navy has commissioned four Lateral Combat Ships, with plans to add 20 more by 2015. The LCS program brings an innovative approach to the operational availability of the fleet. From the Defense Media Activity, I'm Petty Officer Jen Blake.