Skip to comments.
Navy launches U.S.S. Independence, first of new class of weapons-bristling speedster trimarans
DVICE (SciFi) ^
| May 2008
Posted on 05/07/2008 8:24:11 PM PDT by Toddsterpatriot
We’ve been hearing rumblings about the U.S. Navy’s triple-hulled ships, but here’s one that was launched last month, the U.S.S Independence. Built by General Dynamics, it’s called a “littoral combat ship” (LCS), and the trimaran can move huge weapons around faster than any ship in the Navy. Ironic that with all that high tech built in, the ship reminds us of the Merrimac ironclad from Civil War days.
Littoral means close to shore, and that’s where these fleet-hulled babies will operate, tailor-made for launching helicopters and armored vehicles, sweeping mines and firing all manner of torpedoes, missiles and machine guns.
These ships were designed to be relatively inexpensive — this one’s a bargain at $208 million — and the navy plans to build 55 of them. This trimaran is the first of the new fire-breathing breed, ready to scoot out of dry dock at a rumored 60 knots. It's like a speedy and heavily-armed aircraft carrier for helicopters.
TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: littoral; navy; ships; trimarans; trimorans
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80, 81-95 next last
This is cool as hell!
To: 1rudeboy; Mase; expat_panama; Rusty0604; Jim 0216; xjcsa; VegasCowboy
2
posted on
05/07/2008 8:25:02 PM PDT
by
Toddsterpatriot
(Why are doom and gloomers, union members and liberals so bad at math?)
To: Toddsterpatriot; LUV W; BIGLOOK; Kathy in Alaska; SandRat; MS.BEHAVIN; Allegra; tongue-tied
3
posted on
05/07/2008 8:27:34 PM PDT
by
STARWISE
(They (Dims) think of this WOT as Bush's war, not America's war-RichardMiniter, respected OBL author)
To: Toddsterpatriot
That forward 57mm mount looks like it will get wet FREQUENTLY. It’s gonna be a maintenance monster.
4
posted on
05/07/2008 8:28:41 PM PDT
by
ExpatGator
(Extending logic since 1961.)
To: Toddsterpatriot
5
posted on
05/07/2008 8:28:55 PM PDT
by
FormerACLUmember
(When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness.)
To: Toddsterpatriot
For 200M !? Holy crap. That’s like, pocket change.
6
posted on
05/07/2008 8:29:14 PM PDT
by
farlander
(Try not to wear milk bone underwear - it's a dog eat dog financial world)
To: Toddsterpatriot
this one’s a bargain at $208 millionI thought that there had been large cost overruns with the program.
7
posted on
05/07/2008 8:29:14 PM PDT
by
PAR35
To: farlander
Let's build 50 a year, forever!
8
posted on
05/07/2008 8:30:47 PM PDT
by
Toddsterpatriot
(Why are doom and gloomers, union members and liberals so bad at math?)
To: Toddsterpatriot
Whoa baby.....this one’s cool.
9
posted on
05/07/2008 8:31:12 PM PDT
by
BOBTHENAILER
(One by one, in small groups or in whole armies, we don't care how we do it, but we're gonna getcha)
To: Toddsterpatriot
Very cool indeed, and a BTT. Uh...the part about “scooting out of drydock at 60 knots” is a bit of journalistic hyperbole. Or at least so I hope. Something like this shooting through a harbor at highway speed...(shudder)...
To: ExpatGator
I was thing the same thing....
11
posted on
05/07/2008 8:31:31 PM PDT
by
tcrlaf
(VOTE DEMOCRAT-You'll look great in a Burka!)
To: Toddsterpatriot
12
posted on
05/07/2008 8:31:53 PM PDT
by
mowowie
To: Toddsterpatriot
In scary ass war paint.
"What the f*** is THAT?": last words of a Somali pirate.
13
posted on
05/07/2008 8:32:49 PM PDT
by
FormerACLUmember
(When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness.)
To: Toddsterpatriot
14
posted on
05/07/2008 8:34:06 PM PDT
by
VOA
To: Toddsterpatriot
15
posted on
05/07/2008 8:34:11 PM PDT
by
mowowie
To: Toddsterpatriot
Nice. The draft on that sucker must be phenomenal.
16
posted on
05/07/2008 8:34:11 PM PDT
by
1rudeboy
Under construction
17
posted on
05/07/2008 8:35:00 PM PDT
by
STARWISE
(They (Dims) think of this WOT as Bush's war, not America's war-RichardMiniter, respected OBL author)
To: Toddsterpatriot
any info on size of the crew
To: Toddsterpatriot
First deployment - Iranian area of operations.
19
posted on
05/07/2008 8:36:35 PM PDT
by
Rembrandt
(We would have won Viet Nam w/o Dim interference.)
To: Toddsterpatriot
Heh! The old Boatswain’s Mate in me is saying, “Man! Would I love to paint that lady!”
20
posted on
05/07/2008 8:36:51 PM PDT
by
RandallFlagg
(Satisfaction was my sin)
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80, 81-95 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson
