[Right Winged American]

Y'all are missing the point here;

Independance is an Austal design; they've been building these for more than 20 years. I've yet to hear of any being scrapped for design failures

Both designs claim '40 knots', and if you believe that's all, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.

The 40 man crew refers to the ships company; depending on the TWO mission packages she's designed to carry, the number of hands goes up to more normal couple of hundred.

'Mission Packages'—need a fleet Anti-Air role? Presto, a couple of tractor-trailer size boxes with Verticle-Launch Systems and you're golden. Need ASW—add two Helo's and a couple of trailers of torps/depth charges, and there you go. Anti-Piracy or Surface Warfare? More Trailers with Anti-Ship missiles, maybe a couple of 155mm guns, the odd 25mm cannon, etc, etc. Mine Sweeping? Same thing. How about a company of Marines w/transport. I mean, it IS a RO/RO. Marine Cobra's. Maybe a couple of MV-22's—Independence has more flight deck than you'd believe.

Bottom Line, the 700 mil. figure is one-off; build a couple of hundred and that number goes way down. Can't take a hit? The whole idea is to make it REAL HARD to hit in the first place. And, as time goes on, they're much easier to add capabilities.

God knows, they're cheaper than a new Arleigh Burke. And Light-years better than some of the disasters we spent billions on; like say the Spruances. I mean, ONE screw?

[Austin Vet]

Sprucan had two screws. Fast too. I loved that boat.

[DesScorp]

“The whole idea is to make it REAL HARD to hit in the first place”

I’ve yet to see a ship that can outrun a missile. Mach 1 still trumps 40 knots. And the pathetic anti-air system on both LCS boats don’t bolster your case here.

[Oztrich Boy]

The 40 man crew refers to the ships company; depending on the TWO mission packages she's designed to carry, the number of hands goes up to more normal couple of hundred.

There is accomodation for 75. And food for them for 14-21 days. I suppose the rest could sling hammocks if they agreed not to eat.

need a fleet Anti-Air role? Presto, a couple of tractor-trailer size boxes with Verticle-Launch Systems and you're golden

yah. Needs more, like 3D radar and a comphrehensive combat system. That stuff weighs a lot and doesn't just plug in withour months of testing to make sure everything's running right.

And it's not on the list (Minesweeping, ASW, Surface warfare)

Surface Warfare? More Trailers with Anti-Ship missiles, maybe a couple of 155mm guns, the odd 25mm cannon

OK that is on the list, but you're dreaming. The SUW package is One(1) 30mm Bushmaster cannon and a few boxes of lightweight NLOS missiles

How about a company of Marines w/transport. I mean, it IS a RO/RO. Marine Cobra's. Maybe a couple of MV-22's.

Provide they aren't going to sleep, eat or defecate.

Real world. Long term: One SEAL team. Short term: one SF platoon.

World's most expensive Police Boat