LCS -1 Freedom

[gs]

Crabber: I don't think 50 kts is all that important. You still can't run away from missiles although normal non-jet assist torpedoes that most navies use shouldn't be a problem. And most warships now have rapid fire guns with radar guidance that should still be able to home in on fast-moving targets. The Italian & French had super fast destroyers and cruisers during WWII whose speed did not provide the benefits envisioned.

[bengtsson]

It may simply be a "supersonic anti ship missile sponge". Sorry, but that's the way I see this class of vessel. If a job needs doing, then a Carrier air group is what is wanted. Maybe this ship has a use in third world warfare against the local Camel Crops. But these ships are not gonna survive in even a second world warfare environment. Counter measures will hold off a missile or two, but if the enemy has anything near a modern weapons system, she will be hit repeatedly.

Bob B.

[chuck]

I'm sorry, but a big tug with a hanger can't do 50 knots. This ship has the biggest gas turbines ever put on a US Navy ship, combined with propulsion diesels she has 25% more power than a DDG. Try 0 - 45 knots in two minutes. She accomplished that on sea trials.

Can she outrun an ASM?

[bengtsson]

That kind of speed would have been very useful at Jutland or the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. I see no use for it today. The threats are from the air whether the missile is land, air or sub-surface launched, a two minute run up to 40 knots plus is little comfort. I still think this ship is very useful in colonial wars and gunboat diplomacy, but not of much value against any modern force. Of course, after Carrier airgroups have done their work, this ship could be used as intended once all the missile threats are gone. STill leaves the submarine with anti ship missiles as a threat though.

Bob B.

[Gone Asiatic]

These things will eventually be restricted to doing counter-drug ops in the Gulf of Mexico.
Not bad for a $500million USD eh?