New navy Ship

[charlotte49er]

Here are some photos of the LCS-2 (to be named the USS Independence ).

Here she is at sea trials running at only HALF- power at 43 knots! NOTE the absence of a bow wave.

Also turns tightly too. Allegedly this turn was also done at 43 knots... and from the look of the small bow wave, she's still in the turn. Note the absence of any sign of her 'heeling over' even at that speed.

And then there's the massive helo deck big enough for a CH-53. Last time I talked with the SURFPAC guys years ago. THIS was the LCS they wanted because of the huge storage capacity under that flight deck and the size of the flight deck.

Note that there is very little spreading wake. In fact, it does not look like a wake at all, just foamy water from the water jets. Somehow, at 43 knots, you'd think there'd be more of a wake.

She's aerodynamically designed and kind of strange looking. Is this beginning of a new design in ships?

Here's some more pics of the U.S. Navy's new pirate catchers!

WOW! A couple of these should be able to clean up the pirates off the coasts of Africa...This is the U.S. S. Independence (LCS-2)

It is a Triple Hulled, Weapon-Laden Monster.

Here she is under construction...

There have been rumors about the

U.S.

Navy's speedy new triple hulled ships, but now they're for real.

The U.S.S.

Independence

was built by General Dynamics. It's called a "littoral combat ship" (LCS), and the tri-maran can move its weapons around faster than any other ship in the Navy. (Ironic that with all that high tech, the ship reminds me of the Merrimac ironclad from Civil War days

).

'Littoral' means close-to-shore, and that's where these very ships will operate. They're tailor-made for launching helicopters and lightly-armored vehicles, sweeping mines and firing all manner of torpedoes, missiles and machine guns.

These ships are also relatively inexpensive. This one is a bargain at $208 million, and the Navy plans to build 55 of them.

This tri-maran is the first of a new fire breathing breed, ready to scoot out of dry dock at a rumored 60 knots top speed. It's like a speedy and heavily armed aircraft carrier for helicopters. Pirates Beware!

I wonder how she would do on Lake Norman?? :rolleyes:

Might be fun to try on a few sailboats or slow moving pontoon boats that get in your way! :smilielol5:

[Hawk]

thank goodness they found something to do with all the surplus money just lying around

[charlotte49er]

thank goodness they found something to do with all the surplus money just lying around

Didn't you read? "It's a bargain at $208 Million, and they plan to build 55 of them." :eek::rolleyes:

And WWII PT Boats cost about 1% of that! (At the most!)

[GritsRgreat]

Ok now send it to take out the somali pirates.

[dimbee]

Thing looks like a Star Destroyer in water

[SCMunnerlyn1]

THEY HAVE A POKEMON BATTLE STAGE ON IT .. SWEET!!!

[Cat'sGrowl]

Navy ships are getting old anyways. It's time for them to be upgraded and replaced.

[Hawk]

so, you would buy a new cadillac if your children were starving?

[Cat'sGrowl]

If the old car was so broken down that it kept me from getting to work and making money, then yes.

This isn't just a matter of "wantzin a BANG BANG MILITARY YEEHAW!"

The Navy's ships, and the Air Force's aircraft, are getting so old that they are beginning to fall apart. The cost to maintain them all is starting to outweigh the cost to replace them. And with the rapid development of software technology, it's time for our tech to start being upgraded and replaced. Some of these things have been in service for over 50 years. I don't know where some people get the notion that we still have the edge in military hardware that we had 30 years ago. It's just foolish. The Air Force is getting with the program, it's time for the Navy to do the same.

[thefuzz]

Honestly, I like having a strong military, but we have much more serious problems "back home" that need to be dealt with.

Our international affairs are going to bankrupt this country.

[Davidson Deac II]

Its a radical new design and I am not surprised there were cost overruns. Eventually, the new platforms will operate cheaper than the vessels they will replace, although that might not offset the initial cost.

[Davidson Deac II]

so, you would buy a new cadillac if your children were starving?

Considering that our children have a problem with obesity, I am not sure that is an appropiate metaphor. ;)

[Hawk]

damn you!!!

[bredy087]

Our equipment is getting older, its simply time to upgrade and sell off our old ships to India. Plus we need to get away from the whole Cold War designed ships, planes, tanks, etc.