Posted on 10/14/2006 10:00:11 AM PDT by Jeff Head
US NAVY LAUNCHES AND CHRISTENS FIRST LITTORAL COMBAT SHIP (LCS)
From Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs
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.
Click on thumbnails for a larger picThe 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 [i]Independence[/i], will be luanched and christened in 2007.
US COAST GUARD LAUNCHES AND CHRISTENS FIRST NATIONAL SECURIY CUTTER
US Coast Guard Public Affairs
The first National Security Cutter (NSC), USCGC Bertholf, was built at the Northrop Grumman Ship Systems (NGSS) Ingalls Operations in Pascagoula, Miss. A ceremony was held on September 9, 2004 to mark the beginning of construction of the first NSC. The cutter was launched on September 29, 2006. The construction of the second NSC is underway. (Photos courtesy of Northrop Grumman)
Click on thumbnails for a larger picEight vessels are planned to be built. They displace 4,300 tons, have a CODAG propulsion, are armed with a 57mm main gun, carry two helos, or up to four VUAVs, or a mix of one helo and two VUAVs, have a close in weapons system (I believe VLS cells), is outfitted with a small boat package, and have enhancied interoperability between Coast Guard and US Navy.
Fine vessels.
FYI...more late US Naval developments.
Say hello to my little freind Iran.
Very nice.
Armed with at 57mm. gun! Those were obsolete before WW2 ended, unless you were shooting at wooden buildings.
Perhaps it is a type and it will have a 5inch (125mm) gun or maybe a 75mm (3 inch) of which the Italians had a good model.
But doesn't seem like much aramament unless you are going to be taking on the local Sea Scouts in their rowboats.
I believe we are going to build upwards of fifty of those LCS vessels before all is said and done. They will work great in the littoral regions, along coasts or in confined spaces like the Persian Gulf, but are not really suited for high seas warfare. In coinjunction with a PHIBRON, or under cover of a US CSG futher out to sea, they will be real knife cutters.
Fine post.
It is not a typo. Modern 57mm guns with enhanced munitions are a far cry better than their WW II predesessors both in terms of range in in terms of the damage they inflict. Neither of these ships is suited or planned to be major surface combatants on the high seas. The LCS works close int to shore in knife cutting range, and the Coast Guard cutter is for maritime patrol and interdiction out to sea along our coasts.
The LCS looks like a very nice yacht. I'm gonna buy one .... as soon as I win the lotto. :)
hehehe...lol...you better win several of the big jackpot verieties.
"... doesn't seem like much aramament ...."
I wouldn't be surprised if they're someday retro-fitted with the new rail guns which are now under development. If I remember correctly, they're expected to start putting them in the fleet within about ten years.
And this vessel can really operate just off shore since it can itself operate in 20 ft of water. It is also fast, in excess of 50 knots, which makes it faster than most of those terrorist speed boats.
Now, the new CVN-21 carriers are going to have plenty of power.
Exactly...very well said.
I wonder what the old fogies will say when they find out the Bradley has a 25mm gun?. Guess maybe someone should explain to them it is not the size of the gun, it is the round you put in the gun that makes all the difference. Problem with the old ww2 guns was what the ammo they were firing, not the size of the gun
5.56mm
We are doing pretty well all in all. My wife is helping my Mom down in Texas, and one of our daughters has had to come home here and be under bed rest for her next child because she went into labor 12 weeks early...but they have it under control. In the process, I am gladly playing Mr. Mom for my 3 year old granddaughter who is here with her Mom.
So, life is full of experiences and we plow on through, trusting in God in Heaven to work it all out if we do our best.
As always, best Fregards.
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