Littoral Combat Ships (LCS)
- Thread starter Jeff Head
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Re: US Navy LCS-2 Independence Floated/Launched
Perhaps a international/export version dimilar to what you envision could be developed to meet needs more suited to a true FFG where such a design would be desirable.
Nice sketch. But I believe that they will not sacrifice flight deck space. The parameters for the design call for, in several of the mission packages, large flight deck space for standard and unmanned helos for the types of operations envisioned.
Perhaps a international/export version dimilar to what you envision could be developed to meet needs more suited to a true FFG where such a design would be desirable.
Re: US Navy LCS-2 Independence Floated/Launched
I have some misgivings about the modular concept. You have ONE set of crewmen trained for the ship, and the do the work of maintenance, operation, DC for a half-dozen mission packs... granted the DC part would be relatively small, but we are still talking about giving a big subset of the crew different sorts of jobs to do. I think there may be problems with training and organisation. I'd be interested to see how this works out.
I have some misgivings about the modular concept. You have ONE set of crewmen trained for the ship, and the do the work of maintenance, operation, DC for a half-dozen mission packs... granted the DC part would be relatively small, but we are still talking about giving a big subset of the crew different sorts of jobs to do. I think there may be problems with training and organisation. I'd be interested to see how this works out.
Re: US Navy LCS-2 Independence Floated/Launched
With the multi-mission tasking it's just that you will have the equipment/ordinance necessary for that poackage available on board as required (as opposed to it all being there all of the time) while the crew is trained to operate them all.
For the Spec Ops you will definiately bring in spec ops personnel, but the sea handfling and operations of the ship will remain the same.
My bigger concern is that they require a different package while out performing a different task. For example, they are taked with anti-surface but run up against enemy subs and need the anit-sub too. Something like that. They may end up going out in small task forces or flotillas where all the conceivably necessary needs are covered within the flotilla by different ships.
I believe it will work out fine. You have ASW, anti-mine, and anti-surface that will not be a problem because existing fire control and other techs on other vessels handle all of that now.
With the multi-mission tasking it's just that you will have the equipment/ordinance necessary for that poackage available on board as required (as opposed to it all being there all of the time) while the crew is trained to operate them all.
For the Spec Ops you will definiately bring in spec ops personnel, but the sea handfling and operations of the ship will remain the same.
My bigger concern is that they require a different package while out performing a different task. For example, they are taked with anti-surface but run up against enemy subs and need the anit-sub too. Something like that. They may end up going out in small task forces or flotillas where all the conceivably necessary needs are covered within the flotilla by different ships.
Re: US Navy LCS-2 Independence Floated/Launched
I am not so sure about that. Crew complement is a concern. An OHP has 170 crew, give or take. An LCS has, what? Half that? Each crewman will have to learn more, unless they have specific mission specialists for the combat package (which they seem to?). What do they do in the mean time? A big part of being a crewman is familiarising yourself with the ship, being on it, technical expertise is only half the battle.
I am sure the problem is not insurmountable, and somebody'd thought of that before, but this, more than anything else, is what I consider might be bigger problem. Ships are just toys, software's the thing.
I think that'll definitely be one of the possible solutions, they operate in flotillas of four ships, maybe, and fit out their kit according to mission profile. That'd be what give them an edge over larger generalist ships, you get more bang for your buck, cutting away the redundant capabilities but still having exactly what you need to do the job, on a smaller and faster platform.
I am not so sure about that. Crew complement is a concern. An OHP has 170 crew, give or take. An LCS has, what? Half that? Each crewman will have to learn more, unless they have specific mission specialists for the combat package (which they seem to?). What do they do in the mean time? A big part of being a crewman is familiarising yourself with the ship, being on it, technical expertise is only half the battle.
I am sure the problem is not insurmountable, and somebody'd thought of that before, but this, more than anything else, is what I consider might be bigger problem. Ships are just toys, software's the thing.
I think that'll definitely be one of the possible solutions, they operate in flotillas of four ships, maybe, and fit out their kit according to mission profile. That'd be what give them an edge over larger generalist ships, you get more bang for your buck, cutting away the redundant capabilities but still having exactly what you need to do the job, on a smaller and faster platform.
Re: US Navy LCS-2 Independence Floated/Launched
Of course the Spec Ops missios are the exception where those personnel will e brought on board the vessel..
But time will tell.
Both LCS entrants (Lockheed and GD) have been built with these very requirements in mind.
There is also a high degree of automation with these vessels, which will reduce significantly crew numbers and tasks. I believe that the fire control speacialists, the seamen, the electronics techs, etc., etc. will be able to aptly handle the mission requiremnts for the various packges.
Of course the Spec Ops missios are the exception where those personnel will e brought on board the vessel..
But time will tell.
Both LCS entrants (Lockheed and GD) have been built with these very requirements in mind.
Re: US Navy LCS-2 Independence Floated/Launched
Correct. From what I understand multiplie ships will eventually deploy. Each one suited for diffrent missions. Perhaps the mission modules will be pre-positioned.
The USN has this covered. They are "cross training" sailors for duty on these ships as I write this. The crew will be multi-tasked.
Correct. From what I understand multiplie ships will eventually deploy. Each one suited for diffrent missions. Perhaps the mission modules will be pre-positioned.
The USN has this covered. They are "cross training" sailors for duty on these ships as I write this. The crew will be multi-tasked.
Re: US Navy LCS-2 Independence Floated/Launched
Just because it has a modular design doesn't mean they'd change the load-out every other month. @_@ The importance here is having the option to easily swap out mission modules, versus "fixed" systems that require major retrofitting.
Think of it as an easy way to upgrade, or change mission profile/load-out.
Just because it has a modular design doesn't mean they'd change the load-out every other month. @_@ The importance here is having the option to easily swap out mission modules, versus "fixed" systems that require major retrofitting.
Think of it as an easy way to upgrade, or change mission profile/load-out.
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Re: US Navy LCS-2 Independence Floated/Launched
Why is that? The training sylabus for the LCS was arranged some time ago. The USN is very excellent at training and organization. It will work out fine.
Want to know how the USN is training its LCS sailors??
...
Check out this link below for all the information;
I did not read it all. I just glanced over the program.
Think that the USS Fredom LCS-1 was cancelled?? Think again!
Why is that? The training sylabus for the LCS was arranged some time ago. The USN is very excellent at training and organization. It will work out fine.
Want to know how the USN is training its LCS sailors??
...Check out this link below for all the information;
I did not read it all. I just glanced over the program.
Think that the USS Fredom LCS-1 was cancelled?? Think again!
Re: US Navy LCS-2 Independence Floated/Launched
Millwaukee Harbor?
Someone mentioned aluminum hulls being a fire risk. Anyone care to go into more detail?
Millwaukee Harbor?
Someone mentioned aluminum hulls being a fire risk. Anyone care to go into more detail?