USS INDEPENDENCE (LCS-2)

The USS Independence (LCS-2), is the prototype of a small assault transport and coastal surveillance, Independence class, and the sixth ship of the Navy of the United States to receive the name "Independence." Their abbreviations are for LCS Littoral Combat Ship

It was built by Austal firm of Henderson, Australia .

Its front is "needle", with the rest of its structure, is just one of the novelties of this type of ship.

Commander Michael B. Riley before departure.

Is based on a hull of a high-speed trimaran built by Austal, 127 meters long, for a crew of 40, which can sustain speeds near 50 knots (90 km / h) with a maximum range of 10000 nautical miles ( 19000 km) ..

Its flight deck of 1,030 m², can support large Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion, manned by four members: pilot, copilot, crew chief and aerial observer, which can also carry 38 soldiers and 24 baskets or bunk paramedical personnel, and a load of 3,630 kg internal or external of 5,900 kg in a sling (supported by a single hook grip).

The ship is not designated as a basis for the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey ("Osprey"), but her flight deck is large enough to welcome it on board. This aircraft is capable of vertical takeoff and landing. It is used to: transport of troops, airborne assault, combat support, infiltration and extraction of special forces in combat search and rescue, medical evacuation, logistics.

Its power depends on 2 General Electric gas turbines LM2500, 2 diesel engines MTU Friedrichshafen 20V 8000 Series, 4 water-jets Wärtsilä Retractable Azimuth Thruster, and 4 diesel generators.

Its depth is only 4.5 meters

The Trimaran design also provides unparalleled stability during extreme maneuvers, even during severe storms at sea.

Integrated Command Center, where navigation is controlled using a small joystick and keyboard.

Commander Michael B. Riley Commanding Officer - Gold Crew

Daily training session on board.

Look at her stupid face…… O my God

As an assault ship, the interior volume and payload that this ship can carry, is larger than some destroyers. The main cargo hold, which occupies most of the deck below the hangar and flight deck is 1,410 square meters. This space allows you to comfortably accommodate several armored Humvees (left) with associated equipment and troops, or four Stryker IAV (right), an armored vehicle and 8-wheel amphibious personnel carriers.

BAE Systems automatic cannon Mk 110 57 mm, formally designed as a weapons system approach (CIGS), (220 rounds per minute), multifunction MK295 ammunition with attack range of 14.5 km.

Decoy Launching System, which is responsible for launching flares to evade missiles while the ship is under attack.

Rocket Launcher System (anti-aircraft and missile) SeaRAM Raytheon CIWS, head missile fragmentation reaching a speed of Mach 2 and have more than 7 km effective range.

Distribución típica del armamento standard.

Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk anti-submarine and warships (ASW), search and rescue (SAR) and anti-surface warfare (ASUW), which carry Mk-46 torpedoes and a group of mounted machine guns to defend the cockpit, which can be M60D, the M240 and GAU-16.

The Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk, are trained to carry and launch missiles to attack surface warships. For its anti-submarine warfare, They are fitted with a frontal system Forward Looking InfraRed (FLIR), which allows the detection of targets in day / night, even in adverse weather conditions.

Northrop Grumman has provided an MQ-8 Fire Scout unmanned autonomous helicopter for reconnaissance, combat intelligence and increase the accuracy of information support for combat. It is equipped with sensors for target designation during day / night system (TSAR) for moving targets, multi-spectral sensor (SIGINT) system to detect minefields (ASTAMIDS) and tactical control data link (TCDL) . Its flight range is eight (8) hours and can be up to 6,100 meters .

The USS Independence is all "modular", before leaving for each mission the ship can be configured with specific modules ranging from guns to manned aircraft, through a variety of weapons, unmanned vehicles, sensors, radars, etc. The End