The U.S. Navy launched two new “Littoral combat” vessels created in the test a few days ago nearly 100 kilometers of “ultra-high speed.” Among them, called “Independence” of the warship nearly 140 meters in length, from Alabama shipyard, which exceeded 44 per hour (83 kilometers), and adhere to 4 hours. Also known as a “free” was a warship (nearly 130 meters long) are also tested to produce a similar answer sheets.Associated Press report, the two new ships use high-power diesel engines and turbo-gas engine as a dynamic system, so at an alarming rate. They do not use conventional propeller technology, instead of using a more efficient and flexible, “water-jet propulsion method.” Shallow draft vessels when compared with the general, more suitable for in-depth enemy’s coastal waters to operational tasking. The U.S. Navy hopes that “free” was in service from next year, two years earlier than originally planned.
“Independence” is a newly designed aluminum hull shell three warships, and the “free” number is the traditional single-shell steel ships. In order to determine which one is better, the U.S. military ordered a further two with the “Independence” and “freedom” was the same level of ships for testing. The U.S. Navy said that it plans to build 55 such single vessels of up to 460 million U.S. dollars cost of new warships. Such vessels can carry helicopters, able to take anti-submarine, mine clearance, sending special forces landing, and other combat missions.
As a result of the so-called stealth and the “modular” design technology, the new ships can be within 24 hours from the “submarine chasers” into a “mine-sweepers,” rated as the U.S. fleet in the true “generalist” and its operational performance than ever before landing a missile hydrofoil or hovercraft. With the same stature compared to the U.S. military active-duty warship, “free” number and “independence” at a faster cruising speed of at least 10 knots (approximately 20 km).
Taking into account the test day, the “Independence” withstand winds of 30 knots per hour and two-meter-tall waves travel, can still maintain a 44 speed forward 4 hours, this is indeed the performance of the new ships have been strong. In addition to helicopters and guns, the above-mentioned “Clippers” may be equipped for the elimination of ground targets and small vessels of the vertical launch missile systems, which claim to accuracy in complex terrain conditions, the destruction of various types of fixed and moving target.
After the Cold War, the U.S. Navy under the changing international situation on several occasions to revise its naval strategy and draw a new conclusion: the sea is no longer similar to the former Soviet Navy as a strong opponent, in the past that large-scale confrontation between the sea is almost non – may occur; more realistic opponent is the “disobedient” coastal States, as well as its maritime rights and interests and strategic channel produces a variety of threats (such as terrorists and pirates).
In order to effectively cope with various threats, the U.S. Navy’s coastal waters as their own national activities in space and sea operations. United States Navy’s coastal waters for the complex geography, electromagnetic environment, the intensified efforts to detect and measure, and decided to cut suitable for large-scale deep ocean surface and underwater operations the number of ships and increase similar to the “independence” and the “free” was such a The so-called “Littoral Combat Ship,” the number.
“Independence” standard displacement of 2176 tons full load displacement of 2784 tons, endurance 4500 nautical miles (20 hour). The ship is equipped with various weapons and equipment, including a 57-mm stealth gun, a short-range air defense missile systems, four 50 mm guns, as well as two anti-submarine / anti-ship helicopters and multi-unmanned helicopters. It is reported that “independent” warship will be deployed in the west coast of San Diego, in order to focus on the direction of the Pacific Ocean.
Development Report of the U.S. Navy said it would be 2035 years ago to further reduce the size of large warships, including aircraft carriers from the current 12 reduced to 10 or 11, attack submarines from 58 to 40 or 43, but will shift the focus of naval development in the “Independence” and “freedom” was Littoral Combat Ship and other small warships represented.
