"U.S. Navy Independence class Littoral Combat Ship..." Topic

… USS Coronado (LCS 4).

"The U.S. Navy will commission its newest littoral combat ship, the future USS Coronado (LCS 4), April 5, during a ceremony at Naval Air Station, North Island in Coronado, Calif.

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mark Ferguson will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Susan Ring Keith, a long-time leader in the San Diego community, will serve as ship's sponsor. The ceremony will be highlighted by a time-honored Navy tradition when Keith gives the first order to "man our ship and bring her to life!"

"The commissioning of USS Coronado is a celebration of the history of the great city of Coronado and its lasting relationship with our Navy and Marine Corps. The sailors aboard LCS 4 will bring this mighty warship to life with their skill and dedication, honoring her namesake and our nation for years to come," said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. "When she sets sail for distant shores, Coronado, and ships like her, will have a vital role maintaining freedom of the seas, and providing naval presence in the right place, all the time."…"

Full article here
link

Amicalement
Armand

I read a number of articles that day on it and was surprised just how useless their armament is. They could take out a speed boat or helicopter that got too close, but little else. Seems strange for something that is suppose to be able to sail within sight of enemy held shores. Am I missing something?

Am I missing something?

No, you're not. The LCS were supposed to have drop-in modules for most of their weapons and special-function options (minesweeping gear, for example).

Guess what is years away from deployment?

"I read a number of articles that day on it and was surprised just how useless their armament is. They could take out a speed boat or helicopter that got too close, but little else. Seems strange for something that is suppose to be able to sail within sight of enemy held shores. Am I missing something?".

Nope, you are spot on, since the "drop-in" modules aren't available, and won't be ready anytime soon.

1940s era MTBs/MGBs/PT Boats were better armed, for far less cost, and with much smaller crews.

The LCS is basically a glorified, taxpayer funded, naval yacht for the lucky few.

21st Century boarding actions with ceremonial cutlasses anyone?

Finally, perhaps they will be useful again, and the USN will be able to re-live the glory days of olde, in close-quarters combat.

Well, about the armament, there would be news…

"At the Sea-Air-Space 2014 Exposition, Huntington Ingalls Industries has on display its Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) concept ship. Based on the "Flight II" variant of the San Antonio LPD class, the BMD ship is Ingalls Industries vision of a surface platform dedicated to BMD missions. A single BMD ship could replace and accomplish ballistic missile defense missions of several Burke class destroyers allowing them to conduct their "traditional" missions.

Speaking to Navy Recognition during Sea-Air-Space 2014, Mike Duthu (Director of LPD Program at Ingals Shipbuilding) explained the growth potential for a BMD configured LPD 17 ship is an impressive 5,000 tons. The BMD ship may be fitted with 288 Mk 41 or 144 Mk 57 vertical launch systems. Its powerful X-band radar may be fixed of rotating and consist in 4 antennas measuring 25 feet up to 35 feet in diameter…"

Full article here.
link

Amicalement
Armand

Also…

Kongsberg introduces some "armed to the teeth" LCS concepts

"At the Sea-Air-Space 2014 Exposition, Norwegian company Kongsberg is presenting scale models of both types of Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) fitted with unique ASUW configurations. The conceptual Freedom class LCS is fitted with 12x NSMs and the conceptual Independence class LCS is fitted with 18x NSMs.

According to a Kongsberg representative at the exposition, the two concepts are Kongsberg's vision of what could be a future LCS surface weapons package focused on long range capabilities…"

Full article here.
link

Amicalement
Armand

Definately adding some teeth…

many thanks for the info!

Here's another take on the matter – "McCain, a senior Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the Navy's poor planning had led to a new class of ships [LCS] that could not survive in combat, cost far more than expected, provided less capability than earlier warships and had not demonstrated their utility after 13 years of development".

link

Glad you enjoyed the info my friend. (smile).

Amicalement
Armand

288 Mk41 tubes? Holy catfish, it's the second coming of the Arsenal Ship…

Also, don't let anyone in procurement see those Kongsberg LCS proposals. Such impeccable display of logic could cause heads to explode.