[Ken522]

It sure has a big flight deck!

[Broker]

Big and multi-purpose flight deck. Down underside, this ship appears to have four water jet ports. Very useful in real shallow waters...

[tanknetter]

It sure has a big flight deck!

The LCS is designed for multi-mission capability using "plug-in" mission modules. One mission is counter-mine, with the ship operating those BIG MH-53 Sea Dragon minesweeping helicopters. Hence the need for a big deck.

The ship also needs to be able to operate USMC CH-53s (the Echos are almost as big as the Sea Dragons, same basic airframe but smaller sponsons, and I think the Kilos now in development are going to be a bit larger) and V-22s. US Army CH-47s too, I'd imagine.