The Independence class of littoral combat ships (LCS) is General Dynamics and Austal's design proposal to the US Navy's requirement for the LCS class ships. The LCS concept emphasizes speed and modularity thanks to its flexible mission module spaces. According to US Navy, the LCS is "envisioned to be a networked, agile, stealthy surface combatant capable of defeating anti-access and asymmetric threats in the littorals."

The Freedom class of littoral combat ships (LCS) is Lockheed Martin's design proposal to the US Navy's requirement for the LCS class ships. The LCS concept emphasizes speed and modularity thanks to its flexible mission module spaces. According to US Navy, the LCS is "envisioned to be a networked, agile, stealthy surface combatant capable of defeating anti-access and asymmetric threats in the littorals."