What do littoral combat ship consists of?”
Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) are relatively small surface vessels intended for operations in the littoral zone (close to shore). It is “envisioned to be a networked, agile, stealthy surface combatant capable of defeating anti-access and asymmetric threats in the littorals.”.[1] Two ship classes are the first examples of the LCS in the U.S. Navy: the Freedom-class and the Independence-class. LCS designs are slightly smaller than the Navy’s guided missile frigates, and have been compared to the corvette of international usage. However, the LCS designs add the capabilities of a small assault transport with a flight deck and hangar large enough to base two SH-60 Seahawk helicopters, the capability to recover and launch small boats from a stern ramp, and enough cargo volume and payload to deliver a small assault force with armored vehicles to a roll-on/roll-off port facility. The standard armament for the LCS are Mk 110 57 mm guns, while modules containing Non-Line-of-Sight Launch Systems ar
Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) are relatively small surface vessels intended for operations in the littoral zone (close to shore). It is “envisioned to be a networked, agile, stealthy surface combatant capable of defeating anti-access and asymmetric threats in the littorals.”.[1] Two ship classes are the first examples of the LCS in the U.S. Navy: the Freedom-class and the Independence-class. LCS designs are slightly smaller than the Navy’s guided missile frigates, and have been compared to the corvette of international usage. However, the LCS designs add the capabilities of a small assault transport with a flight deck and hangar large enough to base two SH-60 Seahawk helicopters, the capability to recover and launch small boats from a stern ramp, and enough cargo volume and payload to deliver a small assault force with armored vehicles to a roll-on/roll-off port facility. The standard armament for the LCS are Mk 110 57 mm guns, while modules containing Non-Line-of-Sight Launch Systems ar
The USS Independence is the second class of General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) to complete trials. The U.S. Navy announced earlier today that the USS Independence has completed trials in the Gulf of Mexico, off the shore of Alabama and will be deployed to California sooner than expected. The LCS are designed to operate close to shore (littoral zones). They are smaller, more agile vessels that can operate with stealth at high speeds and address anti-access and asymmetric threats in the littorals. They are another example of the US military addressing the demands of 21st century warfare. The Independence was built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama under the auspices of the General Dynamics Bath Iron Works headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia. The 418 foot ship completed rigorous testing in the Gulf of Mexico on October 18, 2009. The trials included more than 50 demonstrations.
