LCS-2 Makes Waves

Aviation Week and Space Technology ^ | 5/6/2010 | Paul McLeary

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm’s way,” reads the quote from the larger-than-life father of the U.S. Navy, John Paul Jones, which is posted above a stairway leading to the mess deck on the USS Independence.

On a clear, calm day in late March, on only the ship’s fifth full day at sea, the crew saw how fast the Navy’s second Littoral Combat Ship (LCS-2), designed by General Dynamics, could go. In the blue waters far off Florida during its maiden voyage from Key West to Mayport, Fla., Capt. Curt Renshaw ordered the ship to make a full stop. The Independence rocked idly for several minutes before Renshaw ordered the crew to crank it up to its maximum speed—a blistering 43 kt.—which was reached in less than 2 min. Not bad for a 2,100-ton, 418-ft. ship. The acceleration was remarkably smooth—the only way those on the ship’s bridge could tell that the Navy’s newest warship was rapidly increasing speed was by the spray kicked up by the aluminum trimaran.

The two-day trip to Mayport was a succession of firsts. Standing on the flight deck while the ship was docked at Key West, the commander was eager to get underway, mentioning that the plans for the trip were to do some dynamic response testing, drop anchor for the first time, conduct air-defense testing, “crash back” deceleration, and for the first time put one of its fast boats in the water while at sea—which the crew did while moving at 5 kt. The new experiences were capped by the 43-kt. sprint and a series of 30-kt., 30-deg. turns that were executed flawlessly. Renshaw said the trip was all about “little victories like that, but they add up.”

[freedumb2003]

I hereby declare the Littoral Pic rule: The LCS is as beautiful a watercraft as the F-16, F-15, A-10, F-18 and F-22 are aircraft.

And read this:

Petty Officer 2nd Class Katrina Williams agrees, saying “rank has no privilege here. If my XO goes out and does sweepers, everyone does sweepers.” Since each crewmember is responsible for multiple tasks, “the concentration level has to be higher,” Renshaw says. “Everyone has greater responsibility” than on previous assignments, Operations Specialist Willie Smith explains on the mess deck. “We’re laying the groundwork as we go.”

Other than having 2 BILs in the Navy, I know nothing about it, but I suspect this is the oft-stated but rarely realized "paradigm shift."

Cool ship, great operational framework, smart people -- I think I am in love -- well, for a non-air milcraft ;)

[arthurus]

While China’s navy expands into the Ocean America is closing in on itself. We seem to be swapping roles. Will the Chinese navy continue England-then-America’s role to maintain freedom of the seas for all or will the Oceans become the preserve of the nation, China, with the blue water navy?

[Rummenigge]

Looks like an excentric car park with a beak.

[null and void]

Maybe a bit...

[Shimmer1]

Navy family ping

[Alas Babylon!]

I’m Air Force and I agree! A wonderful vessel in all categories.

[Jonah Hex]

I admit, I'm concerned with how they'll perform damage control in highly-automated military ships with a small crew.

[NTHockey]

Captain Charles Brower used to chip paint on the Uss Princeton, an Essex class carrier with half a crew. When he was transferred, the crew gave him a gold paint chipper.

He also would come back to the ship when liberty expired at midnight, rather than sleep at home. Forced his officers to do likewise. He figured that, if the enlisted men had to be back by midnight, then the officers had to also.

Hell of a Captain, even for a sailor.

Semper fi

[tlb]

>>> Since each crewmember is responsible for multiple tasks,

Prior stories on these ships point out the crews are overextended. Not enough men to do too many jobs.

[fredhead]

“Prior stories on these ships point out the crews are overextended. Not enough men to do too many jobs.”

It’s not just these ships, it’s the whole Navy. I see it everyday.

[wastoute]

It is like “the best defense is a good offense”. The best way to do damage control is don’t get it. I would trade defense for damage control anyday in a risk benfit analysis and then we are back to “rule #1”. George said gummint is a necessary evil, like fire an awesome servant and a terrifying master. As long as our might is focused on folks “over there” I am for it. Unfortunately we are seeing the first movments of a gummint that would focus it’s might on folks “right here”.

In a 1950s sense these photos fill an AMerican with pride. In a 2010 sense one begins to get a sense of the terror of which Washington wrote...

[Glock22]

Been that way on good ships for a long time. Whenever carelessness can cost lives, rank goes away, at least a little. FOD walkdown on flight decks is a good example; even the skipper participates, because one FOD in your intakes can ruin your whole day. I saw that kind of participation in my Navy days.

[Loud Mime]

I was wondering how the design would work in heavy seas. The craft looks like its submersible.

[null and void]

It’s very wide, so it should be pretty stable. There are no flat vertical surfaces to catch wind or water so it should be buffeted less than a slab-side of comparable tonnage.

Just my take, I’m not skilled in the fine art of naval architecture and I’m no expert, although I play one (badly) on FR...