Awesome Video: Navy’s New Multi-Mission Coastal Combat Ship in Action
- Posted on November 7, 2011 at 6:31pm by
Buck Sexton
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The U.S. Navy has a new multi-mission coastal combat ship undergoing test trials at sea, and The Blaze is taking you onboard and behind the scenes of this high-tech war vessel.
Called the Littoral Combat Ship, or LCS, this addition to the strongest Navy on earth will bring two core functionalities to bear: mission flexibility and shallow-water operations capability.
Slightly smaller than guided missile frigates, the U.S.’s littoral ships come in two sizes: freedom-class and Independence-class. While not designed for major combat operations, and with a standing crew of only 40 men, everyone onboard is cross-trained to handle different mission tasks.
That flexibility is a major component of the LCS’s design. It can be equipped with different weapons and electronics packages depending on needs. Mission sets includes counterterrorism, support for special forces operation, anti-mine and submarine, interdiction, and even humanitarian relief efforts.
Variable weapons and equipment configurations allow the LCS to specifically address threats like piracy and terrorism that are becoming a major component of naval operations in the 21st century. The LCS is highly maneuverable, and just as important for close-to-shore operations, it is completely built out of aluminum. This lightweight design keeps the ship’s hull from dipping too far below the water line and allows it to stay close to shore while avoiding damage from reefs and other below-the-surface hazards.
In addition to being very fast and agile, the LCS has a broad array of weapons systems and technology arrays that can be changed depending on mission. Instead of the massive guns of a U.S. battleship, the LCS has a 57mm gun for small agile surface targets. It has a missile defense system for incoming ordnance, and can be outfitted with special anti-mine warfare and anti-submarine warfare tools, including unmanned aerial, undersea, and surface vehicles.
The LCS has an assault transport capability with a flight deck and hangar large enough to base two SH-60 Seahawk helicopters or 6 fire scout UAVs. From a stern ramp, it can launch and recover small boats, and can also support and launch special assault forces with armored vehicles to a roll-on port facility.
Its propulsion relies on water jets instead of rotors, and the engine can run on traditional gas as well as diesel platforms, or combine the two. Diesel is more efficient, but gas can run simultaneously to give the engines a little extra power when speed is at a premium. It’s top speed is somewhere around 40 knots (45 mph).
Fire Scout UAV
By Naval standards, the LCS is affordable at price tag of $400 million (by contrast, a U.S. guided missile destroyer runs well over a billion dollars, and that’s before a single missile or round of ammunition has been purchased.)
Other allied countries plan to have ships of the same type with similar mission sets, which means the U.S. LCS program will allow interoperability with them. The LCS will also give the U.S. a countering platform to the Chinese Littoral Combat Ship, called a Type 022.
Secretary of the Navy Roy Mabus has said the LCS ships are “one of the most important” naval programs out there right now, and they are “going to be the backbone of the navy of the future.“ Mabus views the LCS as an ”almost perfect ship for a lot of countries“ and feels that it will ”be around for a long time.”
Watch the video below, courtesy of The Daily, and make your own decision about the future of this innovative ship design:
(h/t The Daily)
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Comments (150)
bankerpapaw
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:20pmLet‘s hope the Chinese don’t repossess it.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:41pmOr that the Mid-East turns off the oil to the U.S. Oh, they are going to turn off the oil I just bet. I think the deck is going to be stacked against the U.S. Look, even now the U.S is getting encamped all about by Gog and Magog.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:48pmOh, oh, the deck is stacked against us. No………………..whatever will I doooooooo?
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 8:01pmIs there a bugler, somebody need to play taps for Old Glory?
Report Post »the hawk
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 8:01pmBanker.
Report Post »Thanks my first laugh of the day……Long day !
Eliasim
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 8:04pmDid you ever hear how and why Taps was written? Beautiful story, look it up sometime.
Report Post »stopspendingourmoney
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 8:09pmWow!!! I am glad that China is loaning us money 45 cents on the dollar to build this while we go more in the money hole each day, Ron Paul could have us out of debt in the first 3 years of him being pres, I hope enough of people wake up by then, if not even these ships or all of our great weapons will not save us, they will end up just like russia’s naval ships and subs when they ran out of money, I can already see them sitting at there ports becoming big rust buckets.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 8:12pmIt‘s a shame what they’ve done to the U.S. I wonder if my relatives who died in the War for Independence had any idea this is what would become of what they were fighting for? Yes of course they did, because why? People were more spiritual back then.
Report Post »Shasta
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 8:16pmObummer ordered the CIA a couple of years ago to greatly relax their anti-espionage efforts against China. I suppose it was so they will continue to loan us money. So, China already have the specs to this wonderful USA achievement.
Report Post »Rightsofman
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 8:32pmLets hope they’re not building a fleet of them using our own original plans lifted off the net or sold by a traitor (i.e. BHO appointee). Guess I’m getting cynical in my old age.
Report Post »YoungBloodNews
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 8:35pmSo the Bamster is powering this with solar panels and windmills, right?
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 8:35pmShasta,
Report Post »Yes I know. It’s supposed to be this way.
Eliasim
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 8:38pmYou folks are aware all these things are scripted right? It’s supposed to happen this way.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 8:40pmEven with all the little locusts running around with venom in their tails crying “Down with Capitalism.”
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 8:43pmRevelation is a book whose description is as that of the description of Blazon of Heraldry.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 8:53pmYes you see, it was always known of the things they would try to pull, and that they would build weapons against God, which is what a lot of this technology is really for.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 8:59pmI’ve been waiting a long time for this.
YoungBloodNews
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 9:54pm@ELI
Your all over the place tonight bro, I think our only hope is an EMP, or to hope for a Carrington event…
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:09pm@Eliasim
“I’ve been waiting a long time for this”
So have I and now you will be terminated. Have fun with your new log on. It won’t be hard to spot you again. You always say the most racist things.
Report Post »Joe 1234
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:33pmCool boat. But I’d like to see some more footage of the sailors. I like sailors. They’re heroes on the seven seas. With a yo ho mo and a bottle of rum. God speed boys! See you when you come into my port.
Report Post »Saved777
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 12:26amToo funny, thank you for the laugh, i was having a bad day
Report Post »Cold War Vet
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 12:45am@ BANKERPAPAW
That’s a good one!
Report Post »cozmoeastman
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 1:02am@stopspending our money
Report Post »“Ron Paul could have us out of debt in the first 3 years of him being pres,” are you serious? Thats five trillion a year in just debt reduction. Our bloated to all hell budget now is only what, 3.5 trillion give or take a few billion. So that would mean higher confiscation (Taxes) by the government than we give them now. The government would have to take around 35% of the whole economy (around $14.5 trillion or so) and not spend a dime of that on anything but debt reduction. right now they take just under 20%. If Paul thinks that he can do that he needs to some better math.
D
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 8:42am@Eliasim
Don’t you have friends or relatives to talk to at home? Rant somewhere else.
Report Post »D
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 8:53amWhen I was in Kuwait in ‘03 the Navy had converted a catamaran ferry boat called the HSV2 Swift. It was pretty luxurious inside, computer controled helm with manual overides. It took supplies and vehicles down to Bahrain and back and tested “systems” for future use. I got a tour of it and it was awsome. If this new boat is anything like the HSV in speed, flexability and manuverability, it will be a force to be reckoned with.
Report Post »affinnity
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:23amVery Funny thought.
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:29amNo problem! We can afford it! What a deal, only 400mil instead of 1bil for a full blown warship. I thought the LCAC Navy was supposed to cover us in the littorals of this world which is supported by the main delivery ship? Another layer of offensive weapons we can get by without. If you really want to keep the troops safe with better equipment then send in the Jets and Cruise missiles. They have served us well.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 11:22amHow about some non-military comparisons for the $400 million price tag. Oh and what robust capitalistic company is benefiting from this government spending.
Report Post »TheBloodOfTyrants
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 11:32amHurry up and buy!
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 12:15pmIf this is what we now have between us and the Russians and Chinese Navies, I will not sleep well at night. Maybe it would be good against a Cuban or Haitian styrofoam fleet of refugees.
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 12:19pmLook, look, look a White Flag Fleet
This is Obama’s new White Flag Fleet of ships. Obama will order this White Flag fleet to sail around the world. Will the smoke free and gay US Navy add a chapter to its book of Naval regulations on how to properly surrender a US man of war?
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 12:23pmIt looks like they used aluminum to build the ship. The British Navy discovered in the Falklands War that aluminum burns. All of their aluminum ships burned and were lost. Steel does not burn but it looks good when you surrender.
Report Post »jdm39
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 12:52pmCool boat does it come with the new Bass Pro fish finder too. LOL.
Report Post »kennyg933
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 7:05amClitoral Combat Ship? Doesn’t that send the wrong message to the world? And what’s with the aluminum hull? Didn’t the Navy employ metalurgists who could tell us how aluminum reacts to salt water? A disposable, clitoral ship.
Report Post »bankerpapaw
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:17pmForget all about nuclear weapons. Look out for conventional weapons systems. Where can you hide?
Report Post »oldguy49
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:26pmthe chinese are building 5 for what this 1 coat…………hope it can take out alot of agressors at once………..
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 8:29pmExcuse me , but would it be too much to ask ,,, to f-%}ing guard the southern border ? Really…. High tech toys my assss , build a damn fence and put a man on it every 16 th of a mile…..
Report Post »Al J Zira
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 9:30pmDetroitpaperboy: I’m in favor of opening up new Marine, Army and Air Force bases right along the border with targeting and firing ranges in between. We could test ne missile platforms, Let the Air Force polish up in their bombing skills. The Army could test their new artillery packages. The Marines could run night time maneuvers with night vision so the guys get acclimated to night fire. What do you think?
Report Post »Miami
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:16pmThis ship has been in the works since the 80′s and technology has finally caught up with design…
Report Post »Lord_Frostwind
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 9:46pmJust think about what it will be like when designer and engineers have some time to refine and improve upon the design. Think about a ship like this as a cruiser, maybe something like this:
Report Post »http://cnc.wikia.com/index.php?title=Battleship_(GDI)&image=BattleshipGDI_CC3_Game1-jpg
TimeLifeEditor
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:22pmFar reaching lateral mastheads
Report Post »capture near image waveforms
then project image onto ship hull
wordweaver
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:15pmI want to go back on active duty! This is a very promising platform to meet the needs of the fleet today. I like that it is highly adaptable for specific missions. Seems like good value for our defense dollar.
Report Post »Leader1776
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:14pmAs an ex-S2 D, E, F crewman, I couldn’t be prouder!
Report Post »Joe 1234
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:39pmThank you for your service. Thank you,. Thank you. Thank you. Really.
Report Post »blackstone22
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:11pmThe Navy rocks !!
Eliasim
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:16pmYes especially with all the abominations walking the decks along with gangs of thugs roaming the decks.
Report Post »voteallprogressivesout
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:18pmUnfortunatly OBAMA is the Prez right now.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:19pmYou do know that if God doesn’t intervene which he may not, that the last war will be won by the roughest toughest ground-pounders that the nation can produce don’t you?
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:24pmYes, and an active WW3 is going to start before he leaves office. Because the enemies of the U.S are not going to wait for a junk-yard dog. Hey, elections have consequences.
Report Post »MHP
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 9:41pmWe can use it to sink the junkyard ship Encinom
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:08pmFor Gods sake put at least some Quad 50cal on her.
Report Post »unknown
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:18pmAmen
Report Post »ZAP
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:06pmI guess we will get a loan for it
Report Post »momrules
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:04pmWow, that’s all, just wow.
Report Post »MORNINGELK
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:02pmINHERITED I suppose. A LEAN MEAN FIGHTIN MACHINE.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:06pmWow, nothing quite like the image of a tool of death and destruction huh? Too bad the people who glamorize them the most would never set foot on a real battle-field.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:13pmNow they can sell them to some nation to go beat up on some other nation because it’s good for the maintenance of currency.
Report Post »AntipasMetochos
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 6:58pmRemember this news item? “Report: Iran Threatens To Deploy Navy Off U.S. Coast,” (TheBlaze, September 27, 2011). If these vessels require further sea trials, may I suggest a few targets?
Report Post »cozmoeastman
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 1:07amThat was my thought exactly. Wonder if they are thinking, damn my ship can’t do 40 knots.
Report Post »SgtB
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 6:57pmAll aluminum hull means that rounds laced with mercury or cesium will cause its crew to start swimming. Rounds containing these elements could be carried on small commercial vessels and be shot out of windows using silenced rifles. With a skeleton crew and loud noises everyehere, a bullet strike near the water line probably wouldn`t cause a stir until they started taking on water. Aluminum hull = bad idea.
Report Post »dread_pirate_roberts
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:10pmAll aluminum, yeah I’ve heard of stronger metals, however this has the appearance of an all aluminum can-o-whup-azz! Rumor has it that it’s actually is two cans in one.
Report Post »lel2007
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:26pmI too was wondering if this aluminum boat could take a bullet. Maybe they intend to dodge incoming.
Report Post »SERUM
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:47pmThis vessel sounds awesome…sorry though I didn‘t contribute to it’s manufacturing materials…I drink bottled beer only…buuurp!
Report Post »Dabldo
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 8:26pmHEY VAPOR. Good name for you. Look up on you-tube what happens to aluminum when gallium touches it and you will have a better idea what will happen when these liquid metals “with no ballistic potential” hit aluminum. Then come on back and apologise to SGTB.
Report Post »confederacyofdunces
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 8:41pmI was aboard an FFG, guided missile frigate. The ship as substantial amounts of aluminum, not completely but mostly aluminum. The hull was only 1/4″ thick from what I was told so bullets would penetrate anyway. I don’t think any any vessel will approach another unknown vessel without going on alert and training all guns at the target.
Report Post »I was on the ships security alert force so I have a fair Idea on how these situations get treated. There are no bulletproof ships anymore. the idea is to kill the enemy first.
SgtB
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 11:15pm@ Vapor,
While I may not be a navy ship designer and engineer, I am a veteran Marine and combat marksmanship instructor who is currently studying at OU’s college of engineering to get my degree in mechanical engineering, so who knows what job I’ll have when I get turned loose on the world for a second time.
To me it sounds too easy to insert a payload of encapsulated mercury, cessium, or any of the numerous elements that react violently with aluminum, in the center of a copper jacket with some lead. Also, it is not unlikely that a small fishing vessel or charter boat could easily get within shooting distance of this craft and put several shots on target before the alarm is sounded. Giving the small vessel time to flee or blend in with other vessels.
Just a few weeks ago TheBlaze featured an article on how the Libyan rebels were converting military equipment meant for aircraft to fit on trucks or even to use the rockets from handheld launchers powered by 9V batteries. Human ingenuity knows no bounds and that is a fact.
Did you know that you cannot take a mercury thermometer on an aircraft due to the threat that in the course of a single flight, the mercury in one thermometer if placed strategically could cause airframe failure and decompression or worse? Did I mention that I was also an aviation electronics technician while in the Corps? Learned alot about birds and bullets and currently learning more about calculus than I ever cared to know.
Report Post »SgtB
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 11:22pm@condederacy of dunces,
I certainly get what you are saying about there not being any bulletproof ships anymore. With the exception of old school carriers with all sorts of compartments to seal off flooding areas and create bouyant pockets of air, most of our current fleet are just thin skinned missile carriers that rely on radar and knowledge of threats before they threaten the ship for security. That said, how are the current rules of engagement set up? This is not a new problem either. We all know the story of the 1983 bombing of the Marine barracks in Lebanon. The Marines on post were armed with AR’s and no ammo. I have no doubt that one of these machines and its great crew could handily defend itself, except that when the threat is unknown, it is hard to take it out before it acts. In today’s world, I don’t forsee a situation where a marked ship from any nation will approach an American battleship, it will be a small ship like a speed boat. This scenario has happened before many times and it will continue.
Report Post »Salamander
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 6:56pmAt those speeds and locations, I hope they come up with unique lighting, when not in stealth mode, like maybe alternating flashing yellow, so you know it isn‘t another type of ship and don’t confuse it with a submarine! I’ll bet that thing can go from 0 to 60 (or at least 40, he-he) in an impressively short heartbeat! Psycho!
Report Post »P8riot
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 6:56pmnow lets use it on the iranian ships :)
Report Post »SgtB
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:53amYou need to go back, reread the oath that you took, read some books, and realize that we don’t have a right to tell another soverign nation what they can or cannot do.
If Iran ever launches an attack on us, then we have every right to defend ourselves. But we have no right to attack them for simply building weapons or even nuclear warheads. Further, to attack another sovereign nation without due cause will only serve to hurt this nation’s security and undermine your oath.
I sincerely hope that you rethink your comment and think prior to making any more of them. Although, I did take an oath to defend your rights as well as anyone else’s and as George Washington said, freedom of speech means being able to say whatever you are thinking, or more correctly, to speak without thinking. Of course, there is a counter argument that goes it is better to be perceived a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
Report Post »Trucker1313
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 6:55pmLooks great even from someone that was in the Air Force
Report Post »RichNGadsden
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 6:55pmShakedown cruise time, then let it loose on those Iranian junk ships off the coast.
Report Post »SavingtheRepublic.com
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 6:53pmI think SEALs biggest toy when I see this
Report Post »Phreqguru
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 6:50pmAll aluminum okay fine but I hope there is something more up the sleeve for close-in-weapon systems. Smooth looking vessel nontheless, look out pirates.
Report Post »macpappy
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 1:08amThis boat will kill it’s enemy well before it is ever seen. No such thing as a close up boat battle anymore.
Report Post »Kaoscontrol
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 6:49pmOne guy drives it… That means it’s more advanced than the Starship Enterprise. Kirk would be envious.
Report Post »Dustoff
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 6:59pmLol….
Report Post »dalebrendan
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 6:47pmI like this lots.
Report Post »boshando
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 6:45pmHot damn! Go navy!!!
Report Post »Tired-of-fools
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 6:44pmThat thing even looks bad.
Report Post »capitalismrocks
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 6:41pmIt’s like a modern day Liberty ship from WWII, they Lego pieced those together, we’re inexpensive, lethal and effective
Report Post »I am 'We the People
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 6:36pmWow amazing ship; it just goes to show ingenuity that still is in the people.
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 6:43pmA very ominous and domineering war machine.
Report Post »avenger
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 6:33pmWorth every penny ! go navy !
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 7:47pmA little target practice on Washington would be a good thing
Report Post »