launch of the USS Independance LCS-2

[The Bandit]

http://www.austal.com/index.cfm?objectid=97BF1F01-65BF-EBC1-23E44B3CD474F041

I just thought I would put this up here because its not on the subsim news page yet. That ship looks mean as hell, in a futuristic Metal Gear REX kind of way.

[mcf1]

yeah that's really futuristic.

Found this one, the idea is ancient but it may work for the future:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/03/videos-beluga-skysails-kite-powered-cargo-ship.php

[TLAM Strike]

Looks a lot more like the warship of the future than Lockheed's USS Freedom LCS-1 which lookes like a freakishly large yacht. Plus I gather the LCS-2's design is more heavly armed that the LCS-1 design! :rock:

Go General Dynamics! :up:

Wasn't there a Royal Navy ships with this design already? The HMS Trition or something like that? :hmm:

[Kapitan]

HMS Triton was the first tri marange warship but what ever did happen to her?

[Jacky Fisher]

and this puppy helps the US fight Al-Qaida how....?

It will look rather cool when (if) its completed

[Kapitan]

Dont think its designed for that to be honest more for the gulf region and more so to help with the little issue we call IRAN

[Jacky Fisher]

Iran is only an issue if we make it one. Considering they are natural allies against the Sunni radicals of Al-Qaida, our policy towards Iran has been asinine to say the least.

I'm all for 'defence preparedness', especially with China becoming more nationalistic, but what is the need for them and is the existance in the battlefleet of these ships essential for the defence of the Republic?

[TheSatyr]

Considering they are way over budget and have been delayed repeatedly they need to cancel that boondoggle of a program.

I can't see them being able to do anything that a fleet of cheaper,more numerous modern versions of the MTB couldn't do.

[The Bandit]

I think that the LCS ships would have a much larger deployment range than a fast attack craft would have, and to a good extent should be more seaworthy. One thing though that I think would be worth looking at is, consider using a large container ship or tanker siezed hull as a kind of tender for say 6-8 attack craft. I think eventually they will do that with USVs. One design that looks pretty cool is the Sea Fighter FSF-1, it does have limits to its practicality, but I think that one of those would make a really kickass platform for kind of a short range arsenal ship. Load it up with the new Netfires missiles (each of them is supposed to be the equivelent to a 155mm shell) and it could probably do a bit to help satisfy the naval gunfire requirement (I know they arn't guns but still 120+ netfires on it instead of the helo deck, would make for a pretty nice bombardment)

[TLAM Strike]

Dont think its designed for that to be honest more for the gulf region and more so to help with the little issue we call IRAN

Don't forget shallow areas like the Taiwan Strait, Strait of Malacca and Yellow Sea. :yep: