SUBSIM Radio Room Forums - Are blue water conflicts a thing of the past?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaQueen

Quote:

Originally Posted by NFunky

I believe you are both right in part. The LCS is modular which gives it the ability to be swiftly modified for a certain mission. On the other hand this means the LCS, once comitted to a mission cannot easily attempt another. If equipped for ASW, for example, the LCS would have to retreat to a tender or dock to switch modules, whereas a truely multirole ship would be capable of ASW and other missions in the same action.

As it stands right now, it would have to go into port to switch modules.

Personally, I think the single mission-ness of the LCS needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Even though on paper, it's only capable of performing one role at a time, there's nothing preventing the LCS-SuW, say, from stowing a few ASW torpedoes somewhere. Similarly, they might also decide to put an MH-60S on an LCS and add more Hellfires. My suspicion is that if they build any more LCS, in practice they will be forced by reality to perform as multi-role ships. I think that will end up being the true measure of their flexibility as warships. In this respect the baseline LCS with it's modules is really the least interesting thing about the LCS. I'm curious to see how they adapt it, given that it's basically a single mission ship that will in all likelihood be confronted with adversaries intent on challenging multi-mission warships.

Ahh. I see what you're both talking about. I didn't really think of that. In that regard, I guess it is a single mission ship when configured and deployed. And can only be refitted for other missions in port somewhere. So it seems to be multi-mission in concept, single mission/single purpose while underway and tasked. I'm wondering though if the Navy will allow another forward deployed asset to carry a number of mission modules to re-equip the LCS when at sea. How big are these mission modules anyway?

At any rate, I'm interested in your last point SeaQueen. That poses a very pressing issue that naval commanders will absolutely need to take into consideration. I don't see how that can be avoided in todays littoral environment where alot of US naval adversaries will operate, and where LCS is thought to be needed most.