The Littoral Combat Ship is the first of the U.S. Navy's next-generation surface combatants. Intended as a relatively small surface combattant for operations in the littoral region close to shore, the LCS is smaller than the Navy's guided missile frigates, and they have been compared to the corvette of international usage. However, it adds the capabilities of a small assault transport with a flight deck and hangar large enough to base two SH-60 Seahawk helicopters, the capability to recover and launch small boats from a stern ramp, and enough cargo volume and payload to deliver a small assault force with armoured vehicles to a Roll-on/roll-off port facility. Its fixed air defense and surface-to-surface capabilities aren't much greater than a large gunboat, but the concept emphasizes speed, flexible mission module space and a shallow draft. USN redirects here. ... A littoral is the region near the shoreline of a body of fresh or salt water. ... For the bird, see Frigatebird. ... French steam corvette Dupleix (1856-1887) Canadian corvettes on antisubmarine convoy escort duty during World War II. A corvette is a small, maneuverable, lightly armed warship, smaller than a frigate but larger than a coastal patrol craft. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk. ... Roll-on/roll-off is a method of transport (as a ferry, train, or airplane) that vehicles roll onto at the beginning and roll off of at the destination. ... In nautical parlance, draft is the depth below waters surface of the lowest part of a ship or boat. ...

It will have equipment to support anti-mine and special forces missions, plus robotic air, surface, and underwater vehicles. The first LCS was laid down in 2005; it is slated for delivery in 2007. 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD (or CE) era. ...

Artist's rendering of Lockheed Martin LCS design concept

The concept behind the Littoral Combat Ship, as described by Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England, is to "create a small, fast, maneuverable and relatively inexpensive member of the DD(X) family of ships." The ship is to be easily reconfigured for multiple roles, including anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasures, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, homeland defense, maritime intercept, special operations, and logistics. It is also intended to be able to operate with carrier strike or surface strike groups. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1000x359, 136 KB)Artists rendering of Lockheed Martin Littoral Combat Ship design concept File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1000x359, 136 KB)Artists rendering of Lockheed Martin Littoral Combat Ship design concept File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Lockheed/BAE/Northrop F-35 Lockheed Trident missile C-130 Hercules; in production since the 1950s, now as the C-130J Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is an aerospace manufacturer formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. ... Flag of the United States Secretary of the Navy. ... Gordon England Gordon Richard England (born 1938) is an American businessman who serves as United States Deputy Secretary of Defense. ... The DD(X) is a future class of United States Navy destroyer. ... Anti-submarine warfare (ASW or in older forms A/S) is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft or other submarines to find, track and then damage or destroy enemy submarines. ... Intelligence (abbreviated or ) is the process and the result of gathering information and analyzing it to answer questions or obtain advance warnings needed to plan for the future. ... Surveillance is the monitoring of behavior. ... Mixed reconnaissance patrol of the Polish Home Army and the Soviet Red Army during Operation Tempest, 1944 Reconnaissance is the military term for the active gathering of information about an enemy, or other conditions, by physical observation. ... Look up Logistics in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Four aircraft carriers, Principe-de-Asturias, USS Wasp, USS Forrestal and HMS Invincible (front-to-back), showing the difference in size between a supercarrier, light V/STOL carriers, and an amphibious carrier. ...

Description

General Dynamics LCS

The General Dynamics Bath Iron works design is based on a high-speed trimaran hull proven by the Austal (Henderson, Australia) hull that is currently operating at sea. It requires only a crew of fewer than 40 sailors. The trimaran hull enables the ship to reach sustainable speeds of nearly 50 knots and range as far as 10,000 nautical miles. The large interior volume and payload is sufficient to serve as a high-speed transport and maneuver platform, unlike larger destroyers. In a single lift, the General Dynamics LCS can carry multiple Strykers, armored Humvees, and their associated troops at speeds in excess of 40 knots close to shore. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1000x890, 203 KB) http://www. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1000x890, 203 KB) http://www. ... USS Lassen, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet or battle group and defend them against smaller, short-range attackers (originally torpedo boats, later submarines and aircraft). ...

The first trimaran LCS, INDEPENDENCE (LCS 2), is under construction at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama. The 127-meter surface combatant ship is scheduled for delivery to the Navy in July 2009, with the original contract was awarded in July 2003. ^[1]

It will have a large usable payload volumes per ton of ship displacement, so that it can carry out one mission while a separate mission module is in reserve. The large flight deck will support operation of two SH-60 helicopters, unmanned vehicles, or large H-53 class helicopters. The stable trimaran hull will allow flight operations in high sea conditions. The Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk (or Sea Hawk) is a twin-engine anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter, based on the airframe of the UH-60 Black Hawk. ...

The first hull has been named Independence LCS-2. Fixed core capabilities will be carried for self-defense and command and control. But unlike traditional fighting ships with fixed armament such as guns and missles, innovative and tailored mission modules will be used for specific mission duties, and configured for one mission package at a time. Models may consist of manned aircraft, unmanned vehicles, off-board sensors, or mission-manning detachments, in an expandable open-systems architecture. For other ships going by the same name, see USS Independence. ...

The design has an off-board vehicle launch and recovery system the tail for raising and lowering small boats and watercraft. The flight deck is 1,030 sq m for 2 H-60 or 1 H-53. The mission bay is large enough to accomodate cargo or container sized mission modules. The hanger is 351 sq m for 2 H-60 helicopters. The mission bay has a lift, and a side access ramp for roll-on/roll-off docking. The habitability area is under the bridge with bunks for many personell. The bow contains retractable mine detection sonar. A 57 mm Bofors gun is mounted at the bow, with a 50 cal gun at either corner of the stern and sides. 3 SRBOC rapid bloom chaff and countermeasure launchers, 2 Nulka decoy launchers are mounted on P/S. The Nulka is a hovering rocket decoy which attracts anti-ship missiles. 2 torpedo decoy launchers are mounted P/S aft, with a Surface Ship Defence (SSTD) system. A Rolling Airframe Missle launcher for 21 is mounted above the hanger. Roll-on/roll-off is a method of transport (as a ferry, train, or airplane) that vehicles roll onto at the beginning and roll off of at the destination. ... Bofors is an iron works, cannon maker, and defence industry located in Karlskoga, Sweden. ... The Mark 36 Super Rapid Bloom Offboard Countermeasures (abbreviated as SRBOC or Super-RBOC) is a short-range rocket intended to launch chaff within the vicinity of naval vessels, with the purpose of foiling anti-shipping missiles. ... Chaff is the seed casings and other inedible plant matter harvested with cereal grains such as wheat. ... An active missile decoy designed and built by an American/Australian collaboration. ... RIM-116 test firing RAM Launcher on German Gepard class fast attack craft Wiesel The RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) is a small, lightweight, infrared homing surface-to-air missile in use by the United States Navy, German Navy, Hellenic Navy, and South Korean Navy. ...

It has an intgrated 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 missles. The ship is not designed as a base for AV-6B Harrier jets or the V-22, but the flight deck is large enough to hold them. The Sikorsky H-60/S-70 Black Hawk is a medium-lift military helicopter family used by a multitude of countries and corpoations in a multitude of variants. ...

Specifications: Crew 40 Cruise Speed 51 kts Length 115.2 m 378-ft Max Range 18,600 km 10,043 nm Max Speed 60 kts Full Displacement 2,800 tons Span 17.4 m 57-ft Equipment Component Parts AN/WLD-1 1 Electronic Gear TRS-3D 1 Guns Mk 110 Mod 0

The first Freedom class Lockheed Littoral Combat Ship LCS-1 was christened and launched in September, 2006 at the Marinette Marine shipyard. It is a conventional monohull (as opposed to a trimaran) 377 feet in length, displaces 3,000 metric tons and is capable of speeds of over 40 knots. The LCS core crew will be 40 sailors, usually joined by a mission package crew and an aviation detachment for a total crew of approximately 75. It is designed to be a fast, maneuverable and networked surface combatant for missions such as mine warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare and humanitarian relief.^[2] A monohull is a type of boat having only one hull, unlike multihulled boats which can have two or more individual hulls connected to one another. ... Polynesian (Hawaiian navigators) sailing trimaran, ca 1781 A trimaran is a multihull boat consisting of a main hull (vaka) and two smaller outrigger hulls (amas), attached to the main hull with lateral struts (akas). ...

The flight deck is 1.5 times the size of that of a standard surface ship, and uses a Trigon traversing system to move helicopers in and out of the hangar. It has a stern ramp for launching and recovering boats, as well as starboard side door close to the waterline has a crane for recovering boats, as well as a roll-on/roll-off ramp. The mission module bay as a 3 axis crane for positioning modules or cargo. The foredeck has a modular weapons zone which can be used for a 57 mm gun turret or missle launcher. A Rolling Airframe Missle launcher is mounted above the hangar for short range defence against aircraft and cruise missles, and 50 cal gun mounts are provided topside.

Development and funding

In 2004, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and Raytheon submitted preliminary designs to the Navy. It was decided to produce two vessels each (Flight 0) of the Lockheed Martin design (LCS-1 and LCS-3) and of the General Dynamics design (LCS-2 and LCS-4). After these are brought into service, and experience has been gathered on the usability and efficiency of the designs, the future design for the class will be chosen (Flight I). This may be a straight decision to use one or the other design in whole, or a combined form made by cherry-picking the best features from each. 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Lockheed/BAE/Northrop F-35 Lockheed Trident missile C-130 Hercules; in production since the 1950s, now as the C-130J Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is an aerospace manufacturer formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. ... General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) is a defense conglomerate formed by mergers and divestitures, and as of 2005 it is the sixth largest defense contractor in the world[1]. The company has changed markedly in the post-Cold War era of defense consolidation. ... Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is a major United States military contractor based in Waltham, Massachusetts. ...

On 9 May 2005, Secretary of the Navy Gordon England announced that the first LCS would be named USS Freedom (LCS-1). Her keel was laid down on 2 June 2005 in Marinette Marine, Marinette, Wisconsin. [1]. May 9 is the 129th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (130th in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... USS Freedom (LCS 1), a Freedom-class littoral combat ship, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be so named. ... June 2 is the 153rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (154th in leap years), with 212 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Launch of USS Freedom (LCS-1) on Sept. ... Marinette is a city located in Marinette County, Wisconsin. ...

In late December 2005, the House and Senate agreed to fund another two LCSs. The Navy currently plans to build 55 of these ships. Congresswoman Kay Granger of Texas and leaders of Fort Worth, Texas have launched a letter writing campaign to have the third LCS named USS Fort Worth. [2] December 2005 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December- → 31 December 2005 (Saturday) 25-year-old Scottish human rights worker Kate Burton and her parents are freed unharmed in the Gaza Strip by the Palestinian gunmen who kidnapped them two days earlier. ... Kay Granger (born January 18, 1943) from the state of Texas, currently representing the 12th Congressional district (map) in the U.S. House. ...

On 19 January 2006, the keel for the General Dynamics trimaran, USS Independence (LCS-2), was laid at the Austal USA shipyards in Mobile, Alabama. January 19 is the 19th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Polynesian (Hawaiian navigators) sailing trimaran, ca 1781 A trimaran is a multihull boat consisting of a main hull (vaka) and two smaller outrigger hulls (amas), attached to the main hull with lateral struts (akas). ... USS Independence (LCS-2), the class prototype for the Independence-class littoral combat ship, will be the sixth ship of the United States Navy to be named for the concept of independence. ... Austal USA is the American branch operation of Australia-based shipbuilder Austal Ships. ... Nickname: The Azalea City Coordinates: Country US State Alabama County Mobile Founded 1702 Incorporated 1814 Mayor Sam Jones Area    - City 412. ... Official language(s) English Capital Montgomery Largest city Birmingham Area  Ranked 30th  - Total 52,419 sq mi (135,765 km²)  - Width 190 miles (306 km)  - Length 330 miles (531 km)  - % water 3. ...

On 24 September 2006, USS Freedom (LCS-1) was christened and launched at the Marinette Marine shipyard [3]. September 24 is the 267th day of the year (268th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... USS Freedom (LCS 1), a Freedom-class littoral combat ship, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be so named. ... Launch of USS Freedom (LCS-1) on Sept. ...

On 12 January 2007, The The Navy issued a stop work order to Lockheed Martin for the construction of the third Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The stop work order is intended to be in place for a period of 90 days. "The stop work order was issued because of significant cost increases currently being experienced with the construction of LCS-1 and LCS-3, under construction by Lockheed Martin." January 12 is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD (or CE) era. ...

Some believe^{[attribution needed]} that LCS is a "preemptive strike" intended to create a successor to frigates before former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld could replace them with "Streetfighter": a concept for a series of corvette-sized attack boats. This is a list of frigates of the United States Navy, sorted by hull number. ... The United States Secretary of Defense is the head of the United States Department of Defense (DoD), concerned with the armed services and The role of the Secretary of Defense is to be the principal defense policy advisor to the President and is responsible for the formulation of general defense... Donald Henry Rumsfeld, (born July 9, 1932) is a U.S. politician and businessman, who was the 13th Secretary of Defense under President Gerald Ford from 1975–1977, and the 21st Secretary of Defense under President George W. Bush from 2001–2006. ... French steam corvette Dupleix (1856-1887) Canadian corvettes on antisubmarine convoy escort duty during World War II. A corvette is a small, maneuverable, lightly armed warship, smaller than a frigate but larger than a coastal patrol craft. ...

An international task force has been put together to determine the usefulness of the Littoral Combat Ship in the navies of the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Germany.

Developmental Problems

On 2007 January 12 the US Navy has issued a stop work order on construction of its third LCS. This order was issued due to significant cost increases associated with the construction of LCS-1 and LCS-3.^[3]

Ships in this category

Sea Fighter--an experimental littoral combat ship from the U.S. Navy Sea Fighter is an experimental littoral combat ship under development by the United States Navy. ...

References

1. ^ Dec 2006 Press Release
2. ^ US Navy LCS website
3. ^ US Navy (2007-01-12). Navy Issues Stop Work Order for Littoral Combat Ship 3 Announced (in English). Press release. Retrieved on 2007-01-12.

A news release, press release or press statement is a written or recorded communication directed at members of the news media for the purpose of announcing something claimed as having news value. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD (or CE) era. ... January 12 is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• USS Freedom (LCS-1)
• USS Independence (LCS-2)
• USS Courage (LCS-3) ^{[citation needed]}
• USS Liberty (LCS-4) ^{[citation needed]}
• USS Alliance (LCS-5) ^{[citation needed]}

USS Freedom (LCS 1), a Freedom-class littoral combat ship, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be so named. ... USS Independence (LCS-2), the class prototype for the Independence-class littoral combat ship, will be the sixth ship of the United States Navy to be named for the concept of independence. ...

External links

• Press Release from Lockheed Martin Corporation on the launch of LCS-1 Freedom.
• Defense Industry Daily LCS info, pictures, timeline, links to pages about LCS robot vehicles.
• http://peoships.crane.navy.mil/lcs/
• http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/lcs.htm
• LCS specifications globalsecurity.org
• Littoral combat ship at the Open Directory Project
• http://www.austal.com/
• http://www.angleinc.com/ Contracted by Lockheed Martin to develop Lockheed Martin's LCS tradeshow graphics, animations, and simulations.
• Press Release issued from the Department of Defense relating to the Stop Work order.
• General Dynamic LCS cutaway view painting