US Navy newest warship, USS Independence LCS 2, photo tour

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My family and I were among the lucky few that got tickets for the tour. They sold out in
45 minutes. This is the newest class of Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). It is a 418 ft,
aluminum trimaran, with two conventional diesel engines, each driving a water jet, and
two gas turbines, each driving a second set of water jets. Yes, there are a total of four
water jet propulsion systems. Today they said she can reach speed in excess of 50 knots.

We were taken just about everywhere, bridge, CIC, advanced weapons, flight deck,
launch bay, in the chopper, the remote submersible, even small and large handheld
weapons.

My son sat on the pilots seat, in the chopper, sat in the captains chain on the bridge, sat at
a CIC station, and handled some rather large, 'small handheld' weapons.

I have about 100 pictures, here is the first one, many more to follow.



Check back regularly.

[MILICEVICGM]

Very different from ships we seen in the past. Would like to see this ship under power in some big water.

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The ship was amazing, and they treated us like I was a 5 star, fleet admiral.

We had a LCDR (Lieutenant Commander) escorting us through, and at each
station, they had various specialists to explain stuff (within reason). Just a
few times they smiled and said, sorry we can not answer that.

They did tell me not to take any pictures of the consoles in CIC.

This ship had a crew of only 43 persons on board, and at present 3 of them are female.

Many more pictures to follow, stay tuned.


click here for19 USS INDEPENDENCE photos so far


overview, so far


big gun on bow



four jet drives, center 2 are gas turbines, outer 2 are diesel



stern


click here for 19 USS INDEPENDENCE photos so far


Many more pictures to follow, stay tuned.

[Bobcat]

I have some friends who work for Raytheon who also got the tour.....friggin cool !

[glenncal1]

Why the jet drives?

[old377guy]

Why the jet drives?

cause Merc hasn't rolled out the M9 package yet.

[600sci]

THANKS FOR SHARING !!!!! AWSOME

i like the jet setup, just think its way to exposed for a WAR ship like this !!

Hydraulics and such !?

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As promised here is another batch of pictures. I have many more, but need to do 'real'
work today. I will try to get another batch up after work today.

This ship was built by General Dynamics in Mobile, Alabama.

USS Independence (LCS 2) has an overall length of 418-ft., maximum beam of 104 ft.
and full load displacement of 2,637 tons. The seaframe is based on Austal's all-aluminum
design for the Benchijigua Express passenger/car ferry. Two General Electric LM2500 22
MW gas turbines and two MTU 20V8000M90 9100 kW diesel engines are the prime
movers, powering four large steering and reversing Wärtsilä-Lips 2 X LJ160E and 2 X
LJ150E waterjets.


click here for 37 USS INDEPENDENCE photos so far


overview



portable self contained vault storage for ?
they smiled and nodded when we asked about this one



go-fast boat



down to the engine room



click here for 37 USS INDEPENDENCE photos so far


Many more picture to follow. Stay tuned.

[Ratickle]

That is just way cool.....


Thanks Frank....

[Pete B]

THANKS FOR SHARING !!!!! AWSOME

i like the jet setup, just think its way to exposed for a WAR ship like this !!

Hydraulics and such !?

There isnt a Navy in the world that is as Advanced as the US Navy! besides Carriers, and Subs most ships have Gas turbines!

[Pete B]

Thanks for the pics Frank, where were these taken??

[appsyscons]

Thanks for the pics Frank, where were these taken??

Port of St. Pete

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As promised here is another batch of pictures. I have many more, and will get some
more up tomorrow.

No we are getting to the good stuff.

This ship has the Raytheon Evolved SeaRAM missile defense system installed on the
hangar roof. The SeaRAM combines the sensors of the Phalanx 1B (Sea-Wiz gatling
gun) close-in weapon system with an 11-missile launcher for the Rolling Airframe
Missile (RAM), creating an autonomous system.


click here for 49 USS INDEPENDENCE photos so far


overview



chopper on deck



our son along side a well armed patrol (M14 & 9mm Beretta)



our son, in pilots seat



Raytheon Evolved SeaRAM missile defense system
to watch over and protect our sailors



big landing deck and lots of garage space



click here for 49 USS INDEPENDENCE photos so far

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Featured in this batch of pictures is the arms locker. I still have more pictures, next set includes the bridge, so stay tuned.


click here for 57 USS INDEPENDENCE photos so far


overview



the meat ball



our son with a M16A2M203 over and under



click here for 57 USS INDEPENDENCE photos so far


I still have more pictures, , next set includes the bridge, so stay tuned.

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Sorry for the delay, I have been very busy in my office.
Featured in the batch of pictures is the bridge.
I still have more pictures, so stay tuned.


click here for 65 USS INDEPENDENCE photos so far


overview



looking out the bridge



total ship control from one console



overlooking the bow, room for a vertical launching system (VLS)



our son in control



click here for 65 USS INDEPENDENCE photos so far


I still have more pictures, so stay tuned.

[Ratickle]

Cool stuff Frank...



I'm waiting for the first joystick, high-performance, offshore boat......

[lucky strike]

Great shots thanks for the pics.

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A few more, hangar deck, the submersible and the outside of the ship.

We really enjoyed our tour, and I hope you enjoyed this photo tour.


click here for 81 USS INDEPENDENCE photos so far


overview



back end of the submersible



STBD side from aft ramp



looking forward



looking down the tunnel



looking back, as we depart



click here for 81 USS INDEPENDENCE photos so far


We really enjoyed our tour, and I hope you enjoyed this photo tour.