From the DVICE Newsletter
Navy Lanches USS Independence, First in a New Class of Fast Warships
The U.S. Navy launched a new class of triple-hulled ships last month, starting with the USS Independence. Built by General Dynamics, it's called a "littoral combat ship" (LCS), and the trimaran can move huge weapons around faster than any ship in the Navy. It's weird that with all the advanced tech on board, the ship still reminds us of ironclad vessels from Civil War days.
Littoral means close to shore, and that's where these babies will operate, tailor-made for launching helicopters and armored vehicles, sweeping for mines and firing all manner of torpedoes, missiles and machine guns.
These ships were designed to be relatively inexpensive (this one's a bargain at $208 million), and the navy plans to build 55 of them. The Independence is the first of its fire-breathing breed, ready to scoot out of drydock at a rumored 60 knots - like a speedy and heavily armed aircraft carrier for helicopters.
- Charlie White
USS INDEPENDENCE PICTURE GALLERY