Navy christens USS Somerset, last of 3 ships named in honor of 9/11 terrorist attack sites

Washington Post/Associated Press ^ | 28 July 2012 | Staff

[A.A. Cunningham]

120714-N-NN926-104 ARABIAN SEA (July 14, 2012) An MV-22 Osprey aircraft, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 261 (Reinforced), is on the flight deck aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21). New York and the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU) are part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zane Ecklund/Released)

[Delta 21]

With over 1000 enlisted on board, that would be considerable!

[MtBaldy]

She will always have destroyer escort. Her defensive armament is meant to be a last line of defense. Her main purpose is to put 700-800 Marines and all their gear ashore and support their landing with her aircraft.

[Secret Agent Man]

Is this one of the LCS ships that everyone is saying are overpriced, under-weaponized, can’t get the bare-bones systems it has to work right, can’t take much fire before becoming disabled?

[Secret Agent Man]

One jams or overheats and the 50 caliber firepower just shrank 25%. I’d want 200% redundancy, at least, for each major weapon on there.

[moonshot925]

Yes. There have been cost overruns, delays, engine problems and oil leaks which give the San Antonio class a bad reputation. But there have been repairs and the problems are being fixed.

Also, the ships have room (maybe in a future upgrade) for two 8-cell Mark 41 VLS with 64 ESSMs. That would be more firepower than on most frigates.

The San Antonio class will be able to carry 700 troops and is the most survivable amphibious warship ever built.

[Dilbert56]

Couple of years back, we were able to tour the USS New York, whose bow was made with steel from the Twin Towers. Awesome ship. Parked next to the Intrepid, she was similar in size. The Marines embarked we very proud of their new home allowed us to see, touch and handle lots of gear. I believe they said that, in a pinch, the ship could house 1,200 Marines and associated gear. Stealthy superstructure, too; Only a few right angles.

All in all, a great way to celebrate my birthday.

[A.A. Cunningham]

LCS does not equal LPD

[Secret Agent Man]

Thanks, I didn’t see them discuss what class (lcs, lpd) in the snippet I read.