baes_034872
The LCS deserves alot of the criticism that's being hurled its way.
I contend that alot of that stems from the ships name. Littoral Combat Ship. If it was renamed Multi-Mission Vessel then the heat would be off, mission modules that would be of value NOW could be pushed to the fore and you would see deman skyrocket, as units like SOCOM, Marine Corps, and various Army detachments would all be clamoring to get aboard these ships.
Additionally you'd see many of the do nothing civilian agencies climbing aboard too. State Dept, USAID, probably DEA and a bunch of others would be trying to get their sea legs instead of doing real work ashore. But I digress.
One of the real problems with the name Littoral Combat Ship is that the name is driving weapons fit. Everyone is looking at the small boat issue and seem to believe that the LCS as currently designed will be overwhelmed.
Totally false.
You can see the spec sheet on the 57mm cannon above. It can reach out to 17,000m and is capable of rapid fire. It is useful against both high speed surface and air targets...fast boats, helicopters, cruise missiles etc...
Add the 30mm twin mounts that both classes of LCS can carry to the mix and small boats are dog meat. If we slam the LCS (and I do) then lets be sure we do it for the right reasons.
Its utility and effectiveness against small boats isn't one of those reasons.
The LCS has that threat covered.
The LCS deserves alot of the criticism that's being hurled its way.
I contend that alot of that stems from the ships name. Littoral Combat Ship. If it was renamed Multi-Mission Vessel then the heat would be off, mission modules that would be of value NOW could be pushed to the fore and you would see deman skyrocket, as units like SOCOM, Marine Corps, and various Army detachments would all be clamoring to get aboard these ships.
Additionally you'd see many of the do nothing civilian agencies climbing aboard too. State Dept, USAID, probably DEA and a bunch of others would be trying to get their sea legs instead of doing real work ashore. But I digress.
One of the real problems with the name Littoral Combat Ship is that the name is driving weapons fit. Everyone is looking at the small boat issue and seem to believe that the LCS as currently designed will be overwhelmed.
Totally false.
You can see the spec sheet on the 57mm cannon above. It can reach out to 17,000m and is capable of rapid fire. It is useful against both high speed surface and air targets...fast boats, helicopters, cruise missiles etc...
Add the 30mm twin mounts that both classes of LCS can carry to the mix and small boats are dog meat. If we slam the LCS (and I do) then lets be sure we do it for the right reasons.
Its utility and effectiveness against small boats isn't one of those reasons.
The LCS has that threat covered.