Initiated 10 years ago, the LCS will eventually make up 1/5 on the Navy's 313-ship plan
In addition to a normal compliment of weapons and sensors, the LCSnow has this remote surface mine detector assigned to it as well
Now the Pentagon wants a bigger, badder drone presence with the ship as well. Here's an artist's concept from DARPA.
When complete the LCS will have "plug and fight" modules...
... the modules will allow the LCS to perform mine detection, surface, and anti-submarine missions depending on which is installed
When all the problems are ironed out the LRC is expected to be the workhorse of the fleet
The ship's angular design make it very difficult to be spotted by radar
The Independence has a trimaran hull
In addition to cargo or container-sized mission modules, the bay can carry four lanes of multiple Strykers, and armored Humvees
The flight deck is 1.5 times that of a standard surface ship
The foredeck has a modular weapons zone that will hold a 57 mm gun turret or missile launcher
A Rolling Airframe Missile launcher is mounted above the hangar for short-range defense against aircraft and cruise missiles, and .50-caliber gun mounts are provided topside
The core crew will be comprised of about 40 sailors
In addition to the 40 will be a mission package crew and an aviation detachment for a total crew of 75
Independence has an Interior Communications Center that can be curtained off from the rest of bridge
While automation allows for limited crew, former crew say the workload can be "grueling"
These pictures show the LCS simulator
LCS ships are going to be networked to share tactical information with other units
The Independence is 418 feet long, move at up to 60 mph, and cover a range of 10,000 nautical miles
The LCS's problems don't mean it won't go on to become a huge success
