Posted on 03/01/2010 9:28:29 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
The US Navy's first "Littoral Combat Ship" (LCS), the USS Freedom (LCS 1), has entered service in the Caribbean, joining the U.S. Navy drug interdiction patrol. Operating out of a base (Mayport) near Jacksonville, Florida, the Freedom headed south on February 15th, and on the 22nd intercepted its first drug smuggling boat off the Colombian coast, recovering a quarter ton of cocaine. The LCS was built for this kind of coastal operations. The USS Freedom completed its sea trials and acceptance inspections during August, 2008. The ship did very well, with far fewer (about 90 percent fewer) problems (or "material deficiencies") than is usual with the first warship in a class.
Five years ago, when construction began on LCS 1, it was to displace 2,500 tons, with a full load draft of under ten feet (permitting access to very shallow "green" and even "brown" coastal and riverine waters, where most naval operations have taken place in the past generation. Top speed was expected was to be over 80 kilometers with a range of 2,700 kilometers. The 378 foot long ship still has the range and top speed it was designed for. Basic endurance is 21 days, but displacement is closer to 3,000 tons.
(Excerpt) Read more at strategypage.com ...
Like the initials.
That sucker can outrun my bass boat!
50 mph = 43 knots, its very fast.
Combined diesel and gas turbine with steerable water jet propulsion
“43 knots, its very fast.”
The USS Enterprise had a max speed of at least 60 knots.
Well, Warp 9.985 has been claimed.
Hmmm...but if course that was not the aircraft carrier plowing through water at “warp” speed :)
Well, you brought science fiction into the thread.
“Well, you brought science fiction into the thread.”
How so? You took my comment regarding the Enterprise, first nuclear powered aircraft carrier into the the science fiction realm with your comment relating to “warp speed”.
The aircraft carrier could do 60 knots, nearly half again as fast as the LCS. The Enterprise published speed is 33.6 knots.
I choose to be offended that you consider me gullible enough to believe you.
Your choice...head buried?
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