To guard the coastal areas of the nation and all over the world, the U.S. Navy is planning to build a second General Dynamics trimaran version of Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) that is based on an established Austal high-speed trimaran hull, and has granted funds for the project.
Supporting mine detection/elimination, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare against small surface craft, the 127-meter surface fighter LCS will be fast and highly maneuverable, and feature a modern, high-speed trimaran hull as well.
For the first time the large flight deck of the LCS will be positioned high above the water level. Allowing near-simultaneous operation of two SH-60 helicopters or multiple unmanned vehicles, the deck of the LCS will be suitable for landing the much-larger helicopters, such as H-53 and the steady trimaran hull will make the flight operations possible even in high sea conditions.
Ensuring the capability to accomplish one mission following the next, the Littoral Combat Ship will emerge as one of the major functional payload capacity per ton of ship disarticulation of the U.S. Navy.
Via: gizmag
