USS Independence (LCS-2)

USS "Independence" (LCS-2), the class prototype for the sclass|Independence|littoral combat ship, will be the sixth ship of the United States Navy to be named for the concept of independence. It is the design competitor produced by the General Dynamics consortium, in competition with the Lockheed Martin-designed USS "Freedom", the prototype for the "Freedom"-class littoral combat ship.

It is intended as a small assault transport with a variety of capabilities depending on the mission module installed. The ship is a trimaran design capable of over convert|40|kn, and will probably be delivered to the US Navy in early 2009.

Description

The design for "Independence" (LCS 2) is based on a proven high-speed trimaran hull built by Austal (Henderson, Australia). The 127-meter surface combatant design calls for a crew of 40 sailors, while the trimaran hull should enable the ship to reach sustainable speeds of nearly convert|50|kn|mph km/h|-1 and range as far as convert|10000|nmi|km|-4.

With 11,000 cubic meters of payload volume the ship is designed with twice the objective payload and volume so that it can carry out one mission while a separate mission module is in reserve. The large flight deck, 1,030 square meters (11,100 sf), will support operation of two SH-60 helicopters, unmanned vehicles, or large CH-53 class helicopters. The stable trimaran hull will allow flight operations in high sea conditions.

Fixed core capabilities will be carried for self-defense and command and control. However unlike traditional fighting ships with fixed armament such as guns and missiles, innovative and tailored mission modules will be configured for one mission package at a time. Modules may consist of manned aircraft, unmanned vehicles, off-board sensors, or mission-manning detachments - all in an expandable open systems architecture.

The large interior volume and payload is greater than larger destroyers and is sufficient to serve as a high-speed transport and maneuver platform. The mission bay is convert|11800|sqft|m2|-1, and takes up most of the deck below the hangar and flight deck.

In addition to cargo or container-sized mission modules, the bay can carry four lanes of multiple Strykers, armored Humvees, and their associated troops. An elevator allows air transport of packages the size of a twenty-foot long shipping container that can be moved into the mission bay while at sea. A side access ramp allows for vehicle roll-on/roll-off loading to a dock. The habitability area is under the bridge with bunks for many personnel.

"Independence" also has an integrated LOS Mast, Sea Giraffe Radar and SeaFLIR. Side and forward surfaces are angled for reduced radar profile. In addition, H-60 series helicopters provide airlift, rescue, anti-submarine, radar picket and anti-ship capabilities with torpedoes and missiles. The ship is not designed as a base for the V-22, but the flight deck is large enough to hold them.

The bow contains retractable mine detection sonar. A BAE Mk. 110 57 mm/70 gun (Bofors 57 mm) is mounted on the bow. Four SRBOC chaff and IR countermeasure launchers are mounted port and starboard.

A Raytheon SeaRAM anti-ship missile defense system is mounted above the hangar for defense against high-performance, supersonic and subsonic threats including missiles, aircraft and small boats or ships.

History

The contract was awarded to General Dynamics in July 2003. [" [http://www.generaldynamics.com/news/press_releases/2003/July17,%202003%20News%20Release-3.htm General Dynamics Bath Iron Works Team Wins Preliminary Design Award for U.S. Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship] ". General Dynamics press release, July 17, 2003.] The contract to build her was then awarded to Austal USA of Mobile, Alabama, on 14 October 2005 and her keel was laid down on 19 January 2006. Delivery to the United States Navy is scheduled for December 2008, but will most likely be pushed back to March 2009.

The originally planned second General Dynamics ship (LCS-4) was canceled November 1, 2007. [cite press release |title=U.S.Navy Press Release No. 1269-07|date=2007-11-01|url=http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=11449|accessdate=2007-11-01|] The Navy currently plans a new bidding process between Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics for the next three littoral combat ships, with the winner building two ships and the loser only one. [cite press release |title=Navy Restarting Contest for Halted Shipbuilding Program|publisher=Washington Post|date=2008-04-03|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/02/AR2008040203210.html|accessdate=2008-04-30|] "Independence" was christened October 5, 2008 by Doreen Scott, wife of 10th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Terry D. Scott. [Wilkinson, Kaija, "Independence's Day: Austal Warship Christened", "Mobile Press-Register", October 5, 2008.]

Consortium partners

Partners include:

*Austal USA
*BAE Systems
*General Dynamics
**General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems
**Bath Iron Works
*L-3 Communications Marine Systems
*Maritime Applied Physics Corporation
*Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems

ee also

*"Sea Shadow" (IX-529) USA
*USS|Freedom|LCS-1 USA
*"Sea Fighter" USA
*RV "Triton", a trimaran concept for Britain's Future Surface Combatant program GBR
*Sclass|La Fayette|frigate|1 FRA
*Sclass|Skjold|patrol boat|1 NOR
*Sclass|Visby|corvette|1 SWE
*Sclass|Braunschweig|corvette|1 GER
*"F125" class frigate GER
*Sclass|Sachsen|frigate|1 GER
*Sclass|De Zeven Provinciën|frigate|1 NLD

References

*NVR|http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LCS2.htm

External links

* [http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=22989 LCS-2 receives name]
* [http://www.gdlcs.com General Dynamics LCS program]
* [http://www.gdlcs.com/images/lcs_engineer_front.gifGeneral Dynamics engineering graphic]
* [http://www.austal.com/go/product-information/defence-products/littoral-combat-ship-(lcs) Austal Defence link on LCS]