Littoral Combat Ships (LCS)

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
THIS THREAD IS A COMBINATION OF TWO THREAD. IT INCLUDES:

THE LAUNCH OF THE 1ST LCS, LCS-1, USS FREEDOM STARTING AT POST 1

THE LAUNCH OF THE 2ND LCS, LCS-2, USS INDEPENDENCE STARTING AT POST 57

The Thread will be about news, pics, videos, and discussion regarding the US Navy Littoral Combat Ships, both classes.


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LCS-1, USS FREEDOM LAUNCHED

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MARINETTE, Wis. (NNS) -- Thousands looked on Sept. 24, 2006, as the Navy christened and launched the nation's first littoral combat ship, Freedom (LCS 1), at the Marinette Marine shipyard.

“Just a little more than three years ago she was just an idea, now Freedom stands before us. And on this morning, we christen her, send her down the ways and get her ready to join the fleet next year,” said Adm. Mike Mullen, Chief of Naval Operations. “It comes none too soon, because there are tough challenges out there that only she can handle.”

The 377-foot Freedom is capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots and can operate in water less than 20 feet deep. The ship will act as a platform for launch and recovery of manned and unmanned vehicles. Its modular design will support interchangeable mission packages, allowing the ship to be reconfigured for antisubmarine warfare, mine warfare, or surface warfare missions on an as-needed basis.

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The Lockheed Martin vessel is 377 feet long, will displace 2900 tons, has a top speed in excess of 50 knots, will be armed with a 57 mm gun, a RAM CIWS system, a 40 ft small boat, and two H-60 helos or up to three VUAVs. In addition, it can be outfitted for differing operation packages including anti-surface, anti-submarine, anti-mine, or special operations.

The General Dynamics Trimaran version , LCS 2 Independence, will be launched and christened in 2007.

Here are a couple of pics of that design.

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Each company will build two each of their designs and then a batch of nine vessels will be built based on the winner of the competition. Ultimately 50+ vessels of the class will be built.
 
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bd popeye

The Last Jedi
VIP Professional
Re: US Navy launches and christens first Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)

Jeff posted;
Each company will build two each of their designs and then a batch of nine vessels will be built based on the winner of the competition. Ultimately 50+ vessels of the class will be built.

Yes indeed. ADM Mullen CNO of the USN says that he wants a 313 ship Navy by 2012, This is one way to acheive this goal.
 

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
Re: US Navy launches and christens first Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)

Jeff posted;


Yes indeed. ADM Mullen CNO of the USN says that he wants a 313 ship Navy by 2012, This is one way to acheive this goal.
IMHO 313 is far too small in any case, particularly if you include 50 coastal patrol boats in that mix. IMHO the US Navy needs the 50 patrol boats alright to fight in the littoral regions, but also needs about 450 other major combatants.
 

tphuang

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Re: US Navy launches and christens first Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)

IMHO 313 is far too small in any case, particularly if you include 50 coastal patrol boats in that mix. IMHO the US Navy needs the 50 patrol boats alright to fight in the littoral regions, but also needs about 450 other major combatants.

but right now, it seems to be doing okay with 300+ major surface combatants. Especially with DDX coming out, you can do more with less, just my opinion.
 

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
Re: US Navy launches and christens first Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)

but right now, it seems to be doing okay with 300+ major surface combatants. Especially with DDX coming out, you can do more with less, just my opinion.
Thanks tphuang. The DDX is still not a done deal and has been reduced to as few as 8-12 vessels. The world's oceans are a big place and at some point, too few vessels, no matter how capable, can't be in very many places at one time. As you have said, that's just my opinion.
 

Undead Yogurt

New Member
Re: US Navy launches and christens first Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)

That's a sweet looking ship. Pirates of the Caribbean must be shaking in their panties. I mean, these WILL be used to fight pirates, right? What other threats are there on the US coasts?
 

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
Re: US Navy launches and christens first Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)

That's a sweet looking ship. Pirates of the Caribbean must be shaking in their panties. I mean, these WILL be used to fight pirates, right? What other threats are there on the US coasts?
Not many pirates on the US Coast...US Coast Guard takes care of that. See the other thread in this section about their new cutters (one of which was just launched). These will be used by the US Navy to fight piracy and other billigerants be they terrorists or other rogues in other world wide littoral regions to ensure that sea lanes remain open.
 

bd popeye

The Last Jedi
VIP Professional
Re: US Navy launches and christens first Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)

Not many pirates on the US Coast...US Coast Guard takes care of that. See the other thread in this section about their new cutters (one of which was just launched). These will be used by the US Navy to fight piracy and other billigerants be they terrorists or other rogues in other world wide littoral regions to ensure that sea lanes remain open.

They will be used in a variety of missions because of the modular warfighting componets.

This is the best link for information on the LCS.

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Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
Re: US Navy launches and christens first Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)

They will be used in a variety of missions because of the modular warfighting componets.

This is the best link for information on the LCS.

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ASW, ASuW, Mine Detection/Clearing, Special Forces...these vessels will be extremely critical in the littorals and I am glad to see them coming on board.
 

Scratch

Captain
Re: US Navy launches and christens first Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)

I foud a
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report saying the building of LCS-3 by Lockheed team was stopped by the navy on Jan-12 for 90 days due to cost growth.

Sec.Navy Donald Winter:
... I determined that at this point in time it was critical to stop work on LCS-3 to assess the LCS program and ensure we understand the program's cost and management processes before we move forward. ...

However, the LCS program in general seems to be critical to the navy and I guess it's safe.

That report also provides additional links.
 
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