Littoral Combat Ships

[PubFather]

Being British, I quite liked the idea of the US having a class of ships with glorious abstract nouns for names... Fearless, Intrepid, Defiance.. nevermind...

I do like the idea of a light frigate version of the LCS, plus a really down-specked version to serve in an anti-piracy role. It might be a solution to the RN need to replace (eventually) T23 and better to piggyback on a large US project to gain some economies of scale. Let the USN take the RND hit!

[Rumrunner]

Both LCS classes are an interesting engineering exercise. There is potential with them darting about the Straits of Hormuz, taking on Iranian speed boats or in the far-east messing with Chinese subs. The concern is I think both of these ships LCS-1 (high center of gravity) and LCS-2 (aluminum) (both with small crews), will have glass jaws. These ships will have minimum ability to take battle damage (lightly built and lightly crewed).

I think the idea is to make them and deploy them in enough numbers to counteract their inherent weakness in armor. WWII PF's of the Tacoma Class were not even built to Naval standards, their hulls were of commercial steamship thickness and steel quality, meaning they couldnt take a hit worth crap, and DE's were made to just above the minimum for Naval standards to facilitate their mass-production.

The only things they had going for them were that
A). They werent likely to face major surface combatants in their escort roles, only subs or aircraft
B). They were usually deployed in enough numbers and with larger ships (DD's or sometimes CL's) to cover their asses in the event of attack by anything big.

LCS ships in the event of attack by air, surface or submarine would likely have to rely on their speed and maneuverability, and also other ships in their group to remain alive and in the fight. I would think it to be a considerable mistake to send these ships into the fray alone...

[surfgun]

LCS-1 Freedom has deployed for the first time. I noticed when she left port she had two large tanks welded to her stern for additional buoyancy! The gray paint on the stern does not match the rest of the ship (fresher paint).

[surfgun]

http://www.navy.mil/management/photo...-1522S-009.jpg

[ArtyEngineer]

surfgun

LCS-1 Freedom has deployed for the first time. I noticed when she left port she had two large tanks welded to her stern for additional buoyancy! The gray paint on the stern does not match the rest of the ship (fresher paint).

I dont think they are for buoyancy, if you look close they taper in toward the existing stern and dont actually extend below the waterline!!!! I would guess these are more likely temporary ballest tanks needed as she hasnt had her complete fit out yet.

Regards

Arty

[surfgun]

I dont think they are for buoyancy, if you look close they taper in toward the existing stern and dont actually extend below the waterline!!!! I would guess these are more likely temporary ballest tanks needed as she hasnt had her complete fit out yet.

Regards

Arty

They would provide buoyancy to a following sea, or if the ship was sitting lower in the water. A report on the ship, is that it would sink much quicker (due to additional weight built in because of additions during construction) than expected by the designers (original spec. weight); so a reason for additional water tight compartments. Re: additional ballast: the Freedom class is overweight already. Word has it that they were cutting components out of the upper structure to lower the center of gravity of the ship to increase stability.

[Rumrunner]

Perhaps the rear door and edge of the helo deck got a little too close to the water surface under evasive maneuvering? Or maybe it has something to do with the recovery of her RHIB or small boat?

Either way, its a piss-poor paint job...and couldnt they put some black paint around those mid-hull exhaust ports?

[Dreadnought]

*A blurb from LCS Alternative Weekly.

*Please note this is only a posting on the site. Not the official word. ;)

I am calling the stern bouyancy modles “bustles” although technically they are sponsons. Evidently the LCS-3 will have permanent versions on her transom. And yes those are additional bouyancy tanks are needed to get the modified LCS-1 design of almost 3400 tons up to needed reserves. There are also internal bouyancy tanks.

*Reserve bouyancy.

*For those interested, a link. Enjoy.

http://newwars.wordpress.com/2010/02...ive-weekly-15/

[ArtyEngineer]

Ahhhh, reserve bouyancy. That explains it.

Thanks,

Arty.

[Rumrunner]

A few pics, and one of the reserve bouyancy tanks










My question is, should those reserve bouyancy tanks be holed, ruptured or otherwise compromised to allow water ingress, wouldnt the added ballast seriously endanger the ship?

[Dreadnought]

My question is, should those reserve bouyancy tanks be holed, ruptured or otherwise compromised to allow water ingress, wouldnt the added ballast seriously endanger the ship?

*Pumps, more faster and improved the the usual bilge pumps found aboard warships,they are housed internally with their backups and compartments. The smaller the warship, the faster the pumps must be since you have little room per say to contain any flooding or correct any list. However that ship is a different animal all together.

[Rumrunner]

*Pumps, more faster and improved the the usual bilge pumps found aboard warships,they are housed internally with their backups and compartments. The smaller the warship, the faster the pumps must be since you have little room per say to contain any flooding or correct any list. However that ship is a different animal all together.

True, and it looks like they dont touch the waterline or extend below it. I'm sure the design has been well reviewed by folks more knowledgable than I, but I would be worried about that boat getting low in the water aft from battle damage, then having that large Stern hatch start leaking or give out from said damage and...

Either way, I give it oh, lets say 3 deployments before those tanks are banged up good from either docks or thrust-happy tugboat Captains.

[surfgun]

Talking about tugboat captains, imagine what they will do to the aluminum skinned LCS-2 Indy?
But back to LCS-1, those stern pods look like an excellent location for a diving board!

[Stitch]

Well, at least the Indy doesn't have that problem! BTW, that's one sweet-looking ship (the LCS-2). I should think that new Navy recruits are requesting to be assiged to that ship. I would!

[Oldmike]

Does it bother any one that those exhaust ports are barely 10ft above the waterline? Could they not have been, should they not have been placed far higher? What happens in a beam sea? What happens if the hull is da,aged and she takes on water?