| Submit your comments on this article |
| Science & Technology |
| USS Independence (LCS 2) On Final Sea Trials |
| 2010-10-01 |
| The USS Independence (LCS 2) is a small transport vessel designed to undertake multiple missions, which due to its trimaran design can reach speeds of more than 40 knots (46mph). The 419-foot vessel was built at the Austal shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, has a range of 10,000 nautical miles (19,000 km) and can also operate in water less than 20 feet deep. The Independence's mission bay is 15,2000 square feet and takes up most of the lower deck. It can support the operation of two Seahawk helicopters, multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or one CH-53 Sea Stallion-class helicopter. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose |
| #11 Just checking the Spanish also paid about 600 million a piece for a batch of four of their version of that frigate. |
| Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain 2010-10-01 19:39 |
| #10 57mm cannon. It also has a CIWS missile launcher on top of the hanger. Besides that, its weapons consist of whatever is on the helicopter, and whatever is on the "mission modules." It has a large empty space below the hanger that isn't really usable for offensive weapons (unlike the Absalom class they got the idea from, where a large bit of the module space can be used for VL-ESSM or other missiles). They spent a whole lot of money and capability getting those extra five knots out of the ship. Norway paid this much money for a small (and admittedly slightly underarmed) Aegis frigate. |
| Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain 2010-10-01 19:34 |
| #9 Wow, that thing looks pretty bad-ass. What kind of gun is that up front on the bow? Phanlanx or some kinda standard 3-inch cannon or something else? |
| Posted by: Scooter McGruder 2010-10-01 18:02 |
| #8 For the sort of money these could we could have bought something like a Nansen class frigate to replace the Perrys with. Now we have this but it's going to be sent to do the Perry's job, without a decent area air defense. |
| Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain 2010-10-01 14:53 |
| #7 Projects rarely cost what they are predicted. Why? Because the customer (Us) add on goodies during the R&D, testing, and production phase. I would bet that they didn't think of a UAV component until late in the game. |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2010-10-01 14:16 |
| #6 Ah, you're right. A Navy ship costing 4x the amount budgeted? Nah, couldn't be fraud. Not from a defense contractor, of all companies! I withdraw my statement in the face of your withering, accurate criticism. |
| Posted by: gromky 2010-10-01 13:47 |
| #5 It's not always fraud, gromky. How many times do you think the project's been jerked around by Congress? How many times do you think the design and requirements had to be changed? |
| Posted by: Rob Crawford 2010-10-01 13:39 |
| #4 The development of the Independence has experienced a number of problems in recent years with the total projected cost of the ship now standing at $704 million - compared to the original prediction of $200 million. I am shocked, shocked to find that defense contractors are defrauding the government here! |
| Posted by: gromky 2010-10-01 13:15 |
| #3 Sorry, I can't stand it. Remember that opening scene "from the George Lucas film...", the first STAR WARS? This looks so familiar. |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2010-10-01 07:43 |
| #2 4 lanes (how deep?) of armored Vs, 2 Seahawks on the deck (how many little birds Pan?) and a draft less than 20 ft at 40 MPH? Appears to be a great little pirate hunter. Needs some aircover though. |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2010-10-01 00:41 |
| #1 I want one. |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2010-10-01 00:32 |