The second hull-form of the Littoral Combat Ship class was launched a few days ago in the Austal Shipyard in Mobile, Alabama (Mobile is turning into quite the military manufacturing base when you think about these ships and these ships, existing shipbuilding capabilities and the new Air Force tanker).
Looking unlike anything that had graced the seven seas, at least with the US Navy, the three-hulled trimaran floated off its blocks in its drydock on 29 April. Further work and outfitting needs to be completed, but from the looks of it, its will be one wild looking ship as it bears down on a pirate dhow off the horn of Africa.
Why do we need these new littoral-capable ships? From the Program Executive Office for Ships:
In developing capability to overcome access denial threats from surface and subsurface threats in the littoral, the Navy sought improved mine warfare capability, an effective counter to small, fast, highly-armed boats, and a ship better suited against quiet diesel submarines. These capabilities highlighted the need for a high-speed, shallow-draft vessel with endurance. The littoral combat ships are designed to meet that need.
Any way you cut it, having this improved and increased capability in the littoral regions close to shore will expand the toolkit available to the Joint Force Commander regarding available military options. I’m looking forward to seeing this new ship at work.
–Pinch Paisley
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s one mean-looking ship.
This is what I thought LCS-1 Freedom was supposed to look like until I saw the pictures of it.LCS-1 looks too “conventional,”this looks promising.I hope it works.
I’ve liked the mean look of this ship the first moment I saw the artist rendering several years ago.
It looks cool, I hope General Dynamics beat the Lockheed designed LCS-1.
LCS-2 Independence looks fierce,but LCS-1 Freedom is a hot tranny mess.
Not in a good way either(talking about LCS-1 Freedom).
http://instapinch.com/?p=1085
3 pictures of the ship there. Looks amazing in the water.
LCS2 doesn’t have a chance of winning. Want to know why? Because Israel said they are only interested in LCS1 and not LCS2. We all know that what Isreal wants, Isreal gets from us. If they don’t, then they just steal it. Hence the recent arrests of Isrealis spying on the US.
With friends like Isreal who needs enemies.
Is this a precursor for large-ship trimarans? A trimaran cruiser, maybe? Or how about a trimaran aircraft carrier?
Google “Benchijigua Express”; the LCS-2 is based on a commercial ferry.
roy, jk
Yep paulians…if not Revernd Wright fans. Yall seriously need help. One thing that bugs me about this one what are it offensive and defenseive capabilities besides shown? And…..Wtf a 57mm gun?
Iremember a long time ago 6 to 7 yrs i saw a article in popular mechanics about making trimaian hulled crusiers destroyers and even a huge 800ft long crusier/helicarrier. Wonder if one of those is on the drawing board.
Plus why not build carriers with tri hulls like the man said? I figure carring compacity would have something to do with that but maybe just make it bigger. Anyways just my 2 cents but a ship like this is long overdue its shape and manuvering capabilities make it a far more survivable configuration than the one planned for the (and please dont get me wrong its a retarded ship to me but well need something like it in the future)DDX.
It looks like the nutcases from the klan or wherever are out tonight. On the one hand, I hope they crawl back under the rock. On the other hand, it’s good that we are reminded that they are out there.
on to the subject at hand…
I would be curious to know what the real advantages of this hull form is vs. a more traditional form. I suspect that this form may be more susceptible to changes in payload or cargo size. I mean, weigh it down too much and the front edge starts to hit the water. But it looks more stable than a traditional ship and certainly has a larger flight deck than other ships of it’s size. I’m glad the navy is experimenting with the next generation. If this works out, the next cruiser could be a 25k displacement version. Now, that would be interesting although it might not be able to dock in many harbors.
The LCS as are all hydro-dynamically supported hulls are sensitive to payload variations. Burying the hull is not expected but surely possible. The T-AGOS is a SWATH type hull of different characteristics. It is NOT the quietest ship in th world the USNS Hayes is.
Large trimarans top out at about 7500 tons. They reach the point were pushing more deadweight across the water tops at high speeds requires huge amount of power. And not they do not have sufficient internal volume to serve as carriers.
Hmmm, some weird posts there, aaaanyhow… does anyone have a larger photo of the hull/launch? or a link to one? -thx
I also hope that General Dynamics gets this. We really need a revolution in naval design. The planform design of the LCS 1 does NOT cut it.
Increased Stealthiness, stability and weapon loads are 3 big reasons why we should go with the Austal/General Dynamics design.
“…not have sufficient internal volume to serve as carriers.”
How about an “aircraft dock”? Land, refuel, rearm, take-off.
Kinda like the aerial tanker role, but with ability to rearm.
The Main benefit of that Hull form that I have heard is the ability for ships to handle heavy Sea conditions that normally might be dangerous/damaging to a small vessel and also a kind of shield for the inner hull from battle damage (though the load sensitivity leaves the latter in doubt). I heard the roll out might have damaged the hull abit.
This site has some decent naval info/news. Highly opinionated, and inflammitory but some decent info. http://www.coltoncompany.com/
“Further work and outfitting needs to be completed”
Let’s hope it isn’t the 2 years or so the LCS1 has taken-
Thanks for the link to the pictures asdfasdf, the original post picture is quite grainy.
Roy Smith,
I would suggest you dump your stupid “Protocols”. The “book” has been exposed as a fraud/hoax/forgery/etc and it’s hilarious to see you and other Ronulians use it continuously to this day.
Ya, I agree with the other commentator. You Ron Paul folks need help.
I think Kaitian is right, its a hoax. Think about it. Why does the USA need a boat this big and this well armed to deal with somalian pirates who attack in boats not much bigger than a 31-foot PBR I served on in Vietnam.
Hey now, I am a Ron Paul supporter and neither he, nor I support that kind of “anti-zionist-conspiracy-whacknut” crap. Lets not be dissing Dr. Paul by linking him to these nut cases when its them who are trying to gravy train on him. Yah, I don’t agree with everything he says, but his record, and his position on most things makes him the one, HONEST, CONSERVATIVE running for pres. Yah, I know he doesn’t have the proverbial “snowball’s chance” at the moment, but I sure as hell won’t vote for Clinton, Obama, or McCain (man sides with people like Kennedy waaaaay to much to be good for the country).
Unless you have proof of Dr. Paul endorsing crap like that, please, lets drop the Paulite label and just call people who DO belive that stuff what they are…”WHACKNUTS!”
You know, if it looks good it probably performs good. LCS2 definitely looks good: cool, menacing, high tech, “don’t mess with me”…
Congratulations to the GD and Austal partnership for a job extremely well done!
This ship was toured by a delegation from Israel after it was launched.
I am glad there is finally another USS INDEPENDENCE. The last ship with that great name, was my first ship. All we need now is an AMERICA, a UNITED STATES & the other names of historical ships (and please, no more politicians names, thank you!).
It certainly looks impressive. I only hope that someone can figure out how to build them for an acceptable price so this fierce ship doesn’t end up being a one off.
What a cute thing. Too bad it isn’t as manueverable as the LCS-1. It’s extra width and huge turning radius make a nice, slow target. Maybe is should get some tribal tattoos to look ever cooler and fiercer – it might distract the govt from the performance decrements.
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lcs 1 blew the doors off the navy the old man wants 3 more.isreal is supposed to want three of the lcs1′s.and what happened to the hull on lcs2,did it hold up
Let’s see, LCS1 is much faster and more maneuverable, while LCS2 is slower and lumbering. But hey, LCS2 looks cooler and meaner, so you pick that one?!?! I hope you folks aren’t in purchasing!!
As a retired submarine Torpedoman at 60 years of age & a multihull sailor, I would sign up in a nanosecond for a 20 year hitch for duty on this vessel… Beam me aboard Skipper