quality of a US built warship but at a lower price point?

No, the LCS is part of an effort by the USN to reduce manning levels on its ships… but only the newest designs, which are still in the developmental stages (LCS, Zumwalt DDGX, CGX) have that as a design feature… all the current-production USN ships have the older, high-manpower designs.

The newest CVN under construction, CVN-78 USS Ford, has a new propulsion plant which, combined with the new electromagnetic catapults & arresting gear engines, will reduce manning from 3,200 ship’s personnel in CVN-77 Bush to around 2,200-2,400.

The expected air wing personnel load will remain in the 2,300-2,500 range.

One of the big differences is manning levels and the size (therefore cost) of accomodation built into US ships.

LCS as the exception that proves the rule then?

You hit it on the head… Manning levels in US ships are higher

One of the big differences is manning levels and the size (therefore cost) of accomodation built into US ships.

since European counterparts seem to be cheaper, how about within the European industries? Are the French products typically the most expensive (like their aviation brethrens?)

Yes. Spanish destroyers & Norwegian frigates use Aegis, SM-2 is used on Spanish, Dutch, German & Danish destroyers/frigates, ESSM on all them & Norwegian frigates, Harpoon is widely used . . . but they also have many European systems. Oto Melara guns are the norm, RR & GE (often Italian-built) compete in turbines, diesels are European, & sensors & combat systems are mostly European (radars & combat systems on Spanish & Norwegian ships are the main exceptions), & most torpedoes & naval helicopters are European.

The three largest European navies use mainly European systems & weapons in their ships.

Also, it’s not quite a one-way traffic. Look at LCS, & you’ll see a Swedish gun & EADS radar.

pardon me, i have erroneously assumed the ship building situation as being similar to the missiles, avionics, and aircraft industries.

however back on the subject, do not many of these cheaper European counterparts utilize many of the same systems on the US ships?

US ships are usually more expensive than European ships, not the other way round. Look at the price of LCS, & the current production runs of Austin LPDs & USCG cutters. The US shipbuilding industry survives on the US defence industrial strategy, which keeps otherwise uncompetitive US yards in being to build ships for the military.

Apart from the USN & USCG, who is buying new US-built ships these days?

What fine ship come from France that is not out-classed by it’s Russian equivalent ?