Littoral Combat Ships

[Dreadnought]

IMO, Not out of the ordinary, if we remember the Tico's were recalled as well for stress related items after several runs. They all had to be recycled through the yards to add stiffeners to the bows, etc. Best they find out now and plan for some yard time if it is encountered again. These ships no doubt will be frequently adjusted/modified until they get exactly what they want out of the particular design. All part of the learning process.

A top speed of 50 knots for a newely designed light warship will no doubt cause stresses and strains that will have to be addressed. I wont be surprised if the other design shows it as well. If you notice in the report the crack appears along welded seams.

[HKDan]

The names for some of the under construction LCS ships have come out. They seem to be keeping with naming the class after U.S. cities.

LCS-5 USS Milwaukee (Freedom Class)
LCS-6 USS Jackson (Independence Class)
LCS-7 USS Detroit (Freedom Class)
LCS-8 USS Montgomery (Independence Class)

[Gun Grape]

Speaking of ship names. I think they should have named a OHP after Commander Roy Newton USN, WW2 Cdr of the USS Stack.







Because everyone loves a FFG Newton:Dancing-Banana:

[USSWisconsin]

LCS-5 USS Milwaukee

[Dreadnought]

The names for some of the under construction LCS ships have come out. They seem to be keeping with naming the class after U.S. cities.

LCS-5 USS Milwaukee (Freedom Class)
LCS-6 USS Jackson (Independence Class)
LCS-7 USS Detroit (Freedom Class)
LCS-8 USS Montgomery (Independence Class)

Just like your USN WWII era crusiers both CL (Light) and CA (Armored).

[surfgun]

Or like the 688 attack boats.

[HKDan]

Hey,

Have any of you seen images of where the 2 Mk 46 30mm guns get mounted on the Independence Class hulls for the Surface Warfare package? I have seen plenty of photos of the Freedom class with them installed, but haven't seen any of the LCS-2 with them. I have found articles that have mentioned that they have been installed, but can't find info on exactly where on the ship they go.

[surfgun]

I have not seen any photo's yet, but they will be mounted atop the superstructure as on a Freedom Class.

[Gun Grape]

Hey,

Have any of you seen images of where the 2 Mk 46 30mm guns get mounted on the Independence Class hulls for the Surface Warfare package? I have seen plenty of photos of the Freedom class with them installed, but haven't seen any of the LCS-2 with them. I have found articles that have mentioned that they have been installed, but can't find info on exactly where on the ship they go.

I've seen pics with them fitted. Just cannot find any on the web.

They go in the plug and play boxes circled in red.

[HKDan]

Gun Grape,

Thanks, thats basically what I wanted to know.

[surfgun]

Here is an update of corrosion issues with LCS-2 and a photo of LCS-4 coming along.
LCS corrosion no serious problem, U.S. Navy and analysts say | al.com

[Stitch]

Here is an update of corrosion issues with LCS-2 and a photo of LCS-4 coming along.
LCS corrosion no serious problem, U.S. Navy and analysts say | al.com

Would it be possible to use a different alloy of aluminum to combat the "problem"? I'm sure the substitution of stainless steel in the affected areas is out of the question, both from a weight and a cost standpoint; perhaps the use of a titanium alloy would solve the problem (though this solves the weight problem but NOT the cost problem)?

[HKDan]

I've been thinking some today about the potential for using a wider range of aircraft in conjunction with the LCS than the most often mentioned MH-60 and Firescout. I was rereading a discussion some people on another board were having about the ability of 2 LCS (equipped with the ASUW module and 2xMH-60R, 4xFirescouts) to defend themselves against an Iranian swarm of fast attack craft and/or small boats. Again, the issue that had cropped up was the relatively light armament of the LCS.

One of the points that was brought up was that the ability of the LCS to detect and strike those craft at range is very much dependent on its carried aircraft. Of course, this situation is very theoretical given that the USN would be highly unlikely to strike first in this scenario unless hostilities had already started elsewhere. Attack helicopters(MH-6 and AH-1) have been used with success by the US against Iranian small craft before in the 1980s during Operantion Prime Chance and Operation Praying Mantis. While the MH-60R/S both have the capability to operate against surface threats, I wonder if it might be a good idea to investigate putting USMC attack helicopters on LCS in certain instances due to the greater firepower of the USMC birds. MH-60R is a multi mission bird that has ability to engage a surface threat, but in terms of its capability against a surface threat, an AH-1Z is in an entirely different league. Would it make sense to try operations with 2 LCS operating equipped for Anti-Surface Warfare, but swapping out the MH-60 for USMC AH-1Z instead? My though being that the LCS could use the MQ-8's as scouting birds and then the heavy firepower of the AH-1Z when the enemy was located. During Operation Prime Chance, the US used 160th SOAR MH-6 and Navy SEALs with Mark III patrol boats operating off of barges, Im thinking along similar lines, but using LCS as the barge, AH-1Z in place of the MH-6 and maybe embarking a platoon of Marines to USE RHIB from the LCS in place of the SEALs.

Anyway, what do you think? Would it make sense to investigate using USMC attack helicopters on LCS in certain situations such as the Persian Gulf with the threat of IRGC small boat swarms or am I just suffering the effects of a rainy Sunday and too much coffee?

[jlvfr]

Anyway, what do you think? Would it make sense to investigate using USMC attack helicopters on LCS in certain situations such as the Persian Gulf with the threat of IRGC small boat swarms or am I just suffering the effects of a rainy Sunday and too much coffee?

Why not? Most nation's frigate helis carry light anti-ship missiles and machine guns; this would simply be a reinforced version of that. OTOH, a gunship is far less versatile; it can only do attacks, so if the LCS suddenly needs to, say, conduct a medevac...

[HKDan]

Why not? Most nation's frigate helis carry light anti-ship missiles and machine guns; this would simply be a reinforced version of that. OTOH, a gunship is far less versatile; it can only do attacks, so if the LCS suddenly needs to, say, conduct a medevac...

You are right in that it would be a bit of a one trick pony. Still, I think it might be worth experimenting with as an option in certain situations.