[ProtectOurFreedom]

Obama will either kill it or give the technology away in the name of "fairness." One nation should not be better than another.

[rlmorel]

I don’t know...I know the top speed of our carriers is classified, but...having been on one going at flank speed and leaving damn near a rooster-tail, I have a hard time believing one of our carriers would be all that far behind it...:)

[rlmorel]

That is actually a pretty nice looking vessel...

[Non-Sequitur]

Obama will either kill it or give the technology away in the name of "fairness." One nation should not be better than another.

Already done. The Navy canceled any follow-on LCS's in 2007 because of the cost.

[353FMG]

The Somali pirates will probably get one.

[luckybogey]

I agree with the comments posted however I suspect that the actual high end speed will be classified, the same as with carriers. Note the article does not state if the “gas turbines for extra speed” were engaged...

From a link on the reference article:

Notable achievements during the trials included reaching a sustained speed of 44 knots during the required four-hour full-power run, with a top speed in excess of 45 knots. Many of the test events were conducted in high sea-state and wind conditions (8-foot waves and winds in excess of 25 knots). Despite the weather, the ship repeatedly reached speeds of over 45 knots with propulsion and ride-control systems operating in full automatic mode, proving the effectiveness of the control systems and the highly efficient and stable characteristics of the trimaran hull form.

A series of high speed ahead and astern maneuvers in these sea state conditions proved the effectiveness of the ship’s four steerable water jets. During the repeated high-speed turns the ship demonstrated excellent agility and stability characteristics. The ship’s flight deck remained stable despite sea state conditions and maneuvers.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/General-Dynamics-Littoral-prnews-1935596371.html?x=0&.v=1

[lt.america]

Too bad they couldn't build an Amphib with a well deck.

[The Comedian]

Rapid deployment to defend Muslims and tyrants from being victimized by Christians and peasants anywhere on the Seven Seas...

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[GATOR NAVY]

sustained 44 knots for four hours during builder trials that wrapped up this month off the Gulf Coast.

What's the range at that speed? Not much I suspect.

[bunkerhill7]

I think that the Navy Martin P6M Seamaster could hit 600 mph on water if you cut the outboard wings off-
http://www.aviation-history.com/martin/p6m.html

[tlb]

>>>Independence, a 418-foot warship , 2176 tons

Never thought before to make the comparison but looking it up I see the Knox class frigates were 4130 tons with a length of 438 feet. And the Peary class were 4100 tons and 453 feet.

I previously had it in mind the LCS were a much shorter version of frigates.