Can I get a source for the 16 cell VLS provision?
Littoral Combat Ships (LCS)
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
Can I get a source for the 16 cell VLS provision?
A provision in terms of space on the Independence class is what I am speaking of...and space only.
The compartment on the bow, aft of the 57mm gun is that space, and it was placed there specifically to allow an Mk-41 to be added.
They ended up not adding it as hey finalized the weapons fit.
Now, they would have to add the sensors for whatever they planned to shoot out of it. I imagine the ESSM could be accomplished fairly straight forwardly and with minimal costs because they do have air radar that would allow for the ESSM range. But the long range ASM is something that have no sensor suite capable of handling, and they would have to add something fairly significant in terms of acquisition and fire control.
But the space exists in the Independence class.
It is my understanding that there are space provisions on the Freedom class too...but it would involve some weather deck cutting to open up the deck space to access those spaces.
I mean, I see the space behind the 57mm gun too, but I haven't read about LCS having a "fitted for but not with" idea for 16 VLS cells. A quick google reveals nothing (although it does refer back to a few SDF posts made by you, Jeff lol)
For instance,, Type 45 is widely known to have been fitted for but not with harpoons. I'm just wondering if you mean the same thing for LCS and 16 Mk-41 cells when you say "provision," or if you mean that it has the space for VLS but would require substantial structural modification to actually insert the capability in.
Regarding ESSM, I don't think it will be as simple as described -- I don't think the LCS's main radar is capable of terminal illumination. ESSM is a SARH missile, and I think it needs X band illuminators. LCS-2's sea giraffe radar and LCS-1's TRS-3D both operate in c band, I believe.
If an ARH variant of ESSM is developed, then refitting LCS with ESSM may be more realistic, as it won't need additional refit with terminal illuminators as well.
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Jura The idiot
General
I think in principle such a modification "is ready":
according to
(shouldn't the acronym "MCS" be used?
)
but I think there's a "little" problem: such a ship would cost about the same as
says that defenseindustrialdaily.com article I quoted above
Lockmart's proposal for a revamped LCS is not the LCS as built for the USN. They're proposing an expanded hull, which is completely different to saying the existing as built LCS has structural provision for easy insertion of VLS.
Jura The idiot
General
what do you mean by "an expanded hull"??
according to
while Length: 387.6 ft. (118.1 meters) for Freedom variant LCS according to
but yeah, good point, I'm not sure if the modification (to include the VLS) is feasible for the current LCS-1 ... I guess Jeff will comment on it
but what I was mainly going to say is that such a modification would likely put the ship into $2b price range LOL
I'm saying that their multi mission combat ship is a different hull (with some iterations of them being expanded/larger) than the LCS-1 as built for the USN.
Being "proven" at various lengths means that they think they can build new hulls at those dimensions and deliver a functioning product.
It does not mean that their Freedom class LCS ships delivered and on order for the USN are able to accommodate the same subsystems and weapons as their "multi mission combat ship" concept without heavy redesign.
Jura The idiot
General
OK, the USN LCS program has its critics
joshuatree
Captain
Completely agree!
20 more? I sure hope not, what a waste. You want relatively inexpensive? Dustoff the blue prints to the Perrys and simply upgrade them with the latest propulsion, armaments, and sensors. Offer to sell a bunch to Taiwan for their fleet upgrade and see the unit cost drop. That's inexpensive and will most likely accomplish everything these LCSs will do. Current builds are a waste of taxpayer dollars. One day there will be more mission modules? Okay, just keep the existing units for them to figure it out first. Redirect the funds to something more practical.