USS Independence (LCS-2)

USS Independence History (LCS-2)

The USS Independence (LCS-2) is a fully modernized United States Navy (USN) frigate, the lead ship of its new Independence class. The U.S.

Navy classifies this type as a "Littoral Combat Ship," which is defined as a small, maneuverable surface vessel designed for maritime operations, using the latest stealth technology and protected communications at sea. USS Independence is further defined as a "multi-mission" platform capable of performing multiple ocean-going military and humanitarian roles.

While LCSs are specifically designed for offshore competition, the Independence class has inherent deep-sea capabilities, capable of surviving rough sea state 5 with waves up to 4 meters (sea state 9 is the most dangerous and is defined as "extraordinary"). "Condition) waves over 14 meters high.

The USS Independence contract was awarded to defense contractor General Dynamics on October 14, 2005 in July 2003. The construction contract was awarded to Australia-based Austal (under the local "Austal USA" flag) on ??14 October 2005. Her keel was laid on 19 January 2006 and the ship was officially launched on 26 April 2008.

The USS Independence officially entered service in Mobile, Alabama on January 16, 2010, began service with the U.S. Navy and fought at its homeport in San Diego, California, with the slogan "Libtas Per Laborem", which means "Through Bold Action" achieve independence".

USS Independence (LCS-2) represents the proposed eight levels (if future USN budget allows). These include USS Coronado (LCS-4), USS Jackson (LCS-6), USS Montgomery (LCS-8)??, USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS-10), USS Omaha (LCS-12), USS Manchester (LCS- 14) and USS Tulsa (LCS-16). As of this writing (2013), Coronado is scheduled to be operational sometime in 2013, while Jackson is under construction and joining Montgomery and Omaha. Gabrielle Giffords has been planned and named so far. The use of even numbers is consistent with another USN Littoral Combat Ship, the Liberty-class, offered by General Dynamics competitor Lockheed Martin (the fleet was assigned an odd LCS number).

The Freedom-class is a more traditional-looking ship, with plans to purchase about a dozen. Both types have been accepted for production by the U.S. Navy, with plans to purchase 55 of both types.

One of the most impressive physical qualities of the USS Independence is her unique hull design, based on the Australian HSC trimaran "Benchijigua Express". A trimaran is similar in scope to a sailing catamaran, although it uses a centralized main hull flanked by two outrigger hulls.

This provides sufficient internal volume for the boat while limiting direct contact of the hull with the water. In this way, trimarans can be claimed to be more hydrodynamic and fuel efficient than traditional conventional boat/boat designs. Austal, Henderson, Western Australia, launched the HSC Benchijigua Express in 2003 as a "fast ferry"-style passenger transport. The boat is equipped with 4 x MTU engines, has a draft of only 13 feet and has a transport capacity of 1,290 people and 340 cars.

The vessel is currently (2013) operated by Fred Olsen Express and registered in Spain.

From every angle, the USS Independence exudes a sleek, futuristic and somewhat unorthodox (like a warship) look. The ship lacked the vertical surfaces of earlier battleships, instead using closed closed surfaces with a large angle. Additionally, the long railings common to older surface ships were partially eliminated to encourage some inherent stealth qualities.

Angled surfaces are used for the bow, stern and port sides to keep the stern vertical. The forecastle houses a unique deck gun, and the missile bay is located aft of the unit. The superstructure, located aft of the missile bay, features a multi-window bridge that allows impressive viewing of the action on the bow and sides.

The superstructure is deep and extends amidships as part of the enclosed hangar. A large flight deck occupies the entire stern area - the Independence's unique design allows for a much larger deck area than conventional destroyers and cruisers. Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RIB) launches are marked along the rear side of the boat for rapid deployment teams.

The stern is located aft, with two large electric doors allowing access. USS Independence is operated by a standard crew of 40, including 8 officers and 32 soldiers (two shifts called "Gold" and "Blue"). On a given voyage, support up to 35 additional mission-related aircrews, including passengers, infantry, and a squadron of technical experts.

The full living area is located below the deck. The helmsman steers the ship using an airplane-style joystick, rather than the more traditional car-style steering wheel.

When completed, Independence had a barrel length of 418 feet, a beam of 104 feet, and a draft of just 14 feet. The latter feature is particularly important since the ship's mission is to operate close to the coast. The vessel displaces 2,500 tons (short) when lightly loaded and 3,400 tons (short) when fully loaded.

The ship's interior space supports multiple armored vehicles and associated mission personnel. Access ramps installed on the side of the boat allow vehicles to disembark along the dock (or similar waiting area).

USS Independence has an array of state-of-the-art, sophisticated processing and sensing equipment. Sweden-based Saab is supplying the "Sea GIRAFFE" 3D air/surface search radar system, while Sperry Marine is responsible for the "Bridgemaster E" navigation radar array and associated processing equipment. Northrop Grumman has developed the integrated (and very critical) Integrated Battle Management System (ICMS), and the AN/KAX-2 electro-optical with FLIR (Forward Locking Infrared) and Television (TV) support Sensor packages complete various mission systems.

Independence is designed to be a fully modular warship that can be easily converted to accommodate multi-role capabilities.

The flight deck and hangar facilities on the aircraft can support the launch and recovery of the rotorcraft. For independence, that means the Sikorsky MH-60R/S Seahawk, a maritime helicopter according to US Navy standards. These aircraft support anti-submarine/anti-ship warfare (ASW), search and rescue (SAR) at the military or humanitarian level, vertical replenishment of naval forces (VERTREP), medical evacuation of patients (MEDEVAC) and loading/extraction of casualties and special forces . The helicopter (based on the U.S. Army's UH-60 Black Hawk and Sikorsky's base model S-70) was introduced in 1984 and continues to have a prominent place in the modern U.S. Navy.

In addition to the manned helicopter system, Independence has a full launch and recovery facility for reconnaissance rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) such as the Northrop Grumman-sponsored MQ-8 Fire Scout. At the time of this writing (2013), the U.S.

Navy is currently evaluating the Fire Scout helicopter drone for official use in future operations.

In terms of propulsion, Independence relies on a series of interconnected systems for impressive performance, control and maneuverability. 2 x German MTU Friedrichshafen 20V 8000 series diesel engines used with 2 x GE LM2500 gas turbines driving 2 x American VULKAN shafts. 4 Wartsila water jets are also installed, as well as a retractable bow thruster for precise control.

4 x diesel generators complete the propulsion system, and as a whole, the boat can reach speeds of up to 44 knots and a range of 4,300 nautical miles (about 4,950 miles).

Independent armaments are defensive in nature. The vehicle typically carries a 1 x 57mm BAe Systems Mk 110 deck gun for engaging ground targets or offshore bombardment. 1 AGM-175 Griffin surface-to-air missile system exists, providing a precision munition option with kinetic effect. The Raytheon-developed weapon was introduced in 2008 and has proven itself in the Afghanistan theater with drone deliveries.

The missile is a 45-pound, 5.5-inch diameter rocket-powered design with a 13-pound shrapnel warhead and laser, GPS or INS guidance. The standalone version of the Griffin is a naval form designed for waterborne operations. Due to the modular design of the boat, additional missile units can be added.

1 x Thor "SeaRAM" Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) mounted on the hangar roof. SeaRAM is an evolution of the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) system incorporating the proven 20mm Phalanx CIWS (Phalanx 1B) tracking and attack software.

The weapon is particularly useful against incoming enemy cruise missiles and low-flying aircraft. 2 x 30mm Mk 44 Bushmaster chain guns allow large caliber direct contact with looting enemy ships and aircraft.

The last line of physical defense is the 4 x 17.mm heavy machine gun emplacements, two at the front and two at the rear, on trainable pivot mounts.

The defense of the USS Independence is not limited to physical autocannons or guided/homing missile systems, as she is also equipped with a range of advanced electronics capable of dealing with incoming weapons and radiation threats. The kit includes the ES-3601 support system developed by ITT Corporation and the NULKA active radar decoy from BAe Systems. It also uses 4 SRBOC launchers and can counter homing/guided threats by dropping chaff or infrared decoys.

As of October 2011, Independence was also testing a Long Range Multi-Mission Minesweeper Vehicle (RMMV) to help the ship act as a minesweeping platform.

The USS Independence entered service in 2010 and entered service after the necessary sea trials. After a period of positive evaluation of various systems, the vessel embarked on its first voyage. On April 15, 2012, LCS-2 completed its first transit through the Panama Canal Zone on its way to the West Coast of the United States - a "passing ceremony" for all warships in the Pacific since World War I (1914). "-1918). Also in April 2012, prospective crew members of the USS Coronado (LCS-4) began training in independent class systems and basic operations.

The ship succeeded its first major foreign commander on April 24 when Admiral Jaime Mejia Michel of Mexico visited the newest USN ship, which also became the ship's first foreign port of call. In return, 18 members of the Independence crew volunteered at a local Mexican orphanage. On May 2, 2012, LCS-2 arrived at the San Diego Naval Base for its maiden voyage and is now calling at its home port.

During her stay, she conducted joint exercises with USS Freedom (LCS-1) off the coast of Southern California. On August 3, 2012, the Independence received new orders during an official U.S. Navy ceremony. Another handover ceremony followed on May 1, 2013.

Despite her revolutionary design approach, combat service aboard USS Independence was not without problems. Severe corrosion was found during the test, forcing the US Navy to pay $5. Blame ensues between builders Austal and USN after $3 million to repair the damage.

Austal then offers an obvious solution to the corrosion problem, which will be formally tested on the upcoming USS Jackson (LCS-6) and retroactively applied to LCS-2 and LCS if successful -4. The Independence program has since far exceeded the US Navy's estimated (and fairly modest) budget of $220 million -- spending about $700 million on the first ship alone, drawing the attention (and anger) of some US government officials .

Since the founding of the United States in 1776, the name "Independence" has been used by seven ships of the United States Navy. The 1776 USS Independence brigantine was named after that, and the 1776 sloop followed. The 1814 model was the ship of the series, while the 1918 SP-3676 was a steamship (used as a Neville in World War II).

The CVL-22 is a World War II development that appeared in 1942. Perhaps the most famous modern "Independence" is the CVA-62 conventional aircraft carrier, which was commissioned in 1959 and decommissioned in 1998.

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