LCS2 features large hangar, bigger berths

[unhappycamper]

LCS2 features large hangar, bigger berths
By Christopher P. Cavas - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Jan 11, 2010 5:29:49 EST

MOBILE, Ala. — Inside and out, the new littoral combat ship Independence is like few other warships ever put into service. The severe angles of the unpainted aluminum trimaran give way inside to a spacious interior covered by aluminum-foil-like fire-protection cladding — the effect of which gives one the sense of being surrounded by a burrito wrapper.

The relatively few interior working spaces in the pyramidal superstructure are connected by wide passageways and stairwells — not ladders — reflecting the design’s origin as a commercial ferry. Some of the stairwells even turn corners, as in a landlocked building — unusual for a naval ship.

The vast flight deck that tops the after third of this 417-foot-long ship is almost 90 feet wide and is the biggest ever fitted to a surface combatant. The large hangar features two roller doors, has great interior height and is able to house two H-60 helicopters. On the starboard side of the hangar, a vehicle elevator leads down to the ship’s primary payload area, the mission bay.

The mission bay is one of the key features of the LCS concept, which envisions a ship able to move at speeds of more than 45 knots that can take on extra equipment tailored to specific missions, such as anti-surface or anti-submarine warfare, all packaged into mission modules. Independence’s design, adapted by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works from a high-speed commercial ferry design by the Australian firm Austal, features a hull described variously as a three-hull trimaran or a monohull supported by outriggers. Either way, the configuration has never before been used for a U.S. warship.

The mission bay is about the width of six highway traffic lanes, split into thirds fore-and-aft by steel supports. The space would seem to have no trouble simultaneously housing two of the planned mission modules.


Rest of article about this $704 million dollar wonder at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/01/navy_insidelook_lcs2_011110w/



unhappycamper comment: I wonder how well the aluminum deck holds up with the MV-22 Osprey --> http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=259&topic_id=27537

[Captain Hilts]

1. Aluminum burns very nicely. nt

[Angleae]

2. MV-22 is way too big to fit in the first place.

It's the same type of flight deck that is on out FFG/DDG/CG type ships. Only for use by general purpose/ASW helos.