Here's a Look at The U.S. Navy's New Pirate Catchers!

[mad4wrecks]

Here are some recent photos of the LCS 2 (to be USS Independence.) She's at 43 knots here running at half power. NOTE the absence of a bow wave.

Turns tightly, also; allegedly this also was done at 43 knots...and from the look of the small bow wave, she's still in the turn.

And then we have the massive helo deck big enough for a CH-53. Last time I talked with the SURFPAC guys years ago. THIS was the LCS they liked because of the huge storage capacity under that flight deck and the size of the flight deck.

Note that there is very little spreading wake. In fact, it does not look like a wake at all, just foamy water from the water jets. Somehow, at 40 knots, you'd think there'd be more wake

There have been rumors about the U.S. Navy's speedy new triple hulled ships, but now they're for real.

The U.S.S Independence was built by General Dynamics. It's called a "littoral combat ship" (LCS), and the tri-maran can move its weapons around faster than any other ship in the Navy. (Ironic that with all that high tech built in, the ship reminds us of the Merrimac ironclad from Civil War days.)

Littoral means close to shore, and that's where these very ships will operate. They're tailor-made for launching helicopters and armored vehicles, sweeping mines and firing all manner of torpedoes, missiles and machine guns.

These ships are also relatively inexpensive. This one's a bargain at $208 million, and the Navy plans to build 55 of them.

This tri-maran is the first of a new fire breathing breed, ready to scoot out of dry dock at a rumored 60 knots.. It's like a speedy and heavily armed aircraft carrier for helicopters.

Pirates Beware!!!

(from an email from Brain Portmann)

[FISHEYE]

It looks like it has a draft of around 20 feet.So much for catching pirates in shallow water.

[SFLOcenEng]

It looks like it has a draft of around 20 feet.So much for catching pirates in shallow water.

Actually the draft at full load is 10 feet!

According to, http://www.naval-technology.com/proj...ral/specs.html

Further,

Primary missions are those that ensure and enhance friendly force access to littoral areas. Access-focused missions include the following primary missions:

* Anti-surface warfare (ASuW) against hostile small boats
* Mine Counter Measures (MCM)
* Littoral Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), and may include the following secondary missions
* Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)
* Homeland Defense / Maritime Intercept
* Special Operation Forces support
* Logistic support for movement of personnel and supplies.

[Ramitt]

So much for catching pirates in shallow water.

Helicopters and lighter Craft will chase them into shallower waters.

[Bum Luck]

No surprise about the absence of wake - a wake is a displacement of water indicative of hull inefficiency. In other words, a wake is wasted energy.

This is the latest in hull design.

Wish I was 20 and in the Navy..............

[wwwtimmcp]

I say just add a few A-10 warthogs to the carriers, they do way more than 100 knots and nothing on land or water stands a chance.

[sniffer]

that is one awesome looking boat.

[Saturna]

I recommend Odyssey get one of these, and use it in the Med. for treasure hunting.

If ships of any country hassle them, Odyssey can offer to let them see the treasure wrecks close-up.

[MORE AND BEYOND OSSY]

I recommend Odyssey get one of these, and use it in the Med. for treasure hunting.

If ships of any country hassle them, Odyssey can offer to let them see the treasure wrecks close-up.

I hear the Hornets around the Mediterranean are quite bad, they sting you and can't even see
them
Ossy

[MORE AND BEYOND OSSY]

The sea Shepherd Conservation society has just ordered one, they found mini me would get run
over buy the Japanese whaling ships.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/glance/99...-turns-violent
Ossy

[sniffer]

if you see the video you can see the Gil was in the path of the whaler ship.
I'm not backing the whaler, but when you drive in front of a ship that big, it's not
going to just stop. they got what they deserved.
the Steve Irwin ship being used by the sea sheperd org. is registered in the netherlands
after a British court ruled that their actions were illegal

[Hangingfor8]

The whole whale wars thing is kind of off subject, but lets remember that whaling is outlawed and the Japanese are whaling despite the world courts ruling against whaling. They claim they take the whales for research yet no other country finds a need or want to research these animals in this manner (through harpooning and slaughter). I find it rather funny that you can't find any useable data from their "research" but you can find data on how the whales were processed and used as food after "research".

[vulcan007]

Impressive hull and very effective in open sea. It does not seem practical against smaller vessels or near coastline. How much money did it cost to build?

[mad4wrecks]

It does not seem practical against smaller vessels or near coastline

It's called a "littoral combat ship" (LCS), and the tri-maran can move its weapons around faster than any other ship in the Navy. Littoral means close to shore, and that's where these very ships will operate. They're tailor-made for launching helicopters and armored vehicles, sweeping mines and firing all manner of torpedoes, missiles and machine guns.

How much money did it cost to build?

These ships are also relatively inexpensive. This one's a bargain at $208 million, and the Navy plans to build 55 of them.

[ivan salis]

uh they use helicopters or their deck gun on the bow -- to attack stuff --the helos can drop off "seal" special forces types -- the helos can tow mine clearing sleds as well , theres no real problems with water depth (helos --"we don't need no stinking water")--the helos are faster than "pirate" ships by far and can be much more heavily armed eazily out gunning them -- with their fast speed they can get where they need to be in a hurry and deploy their helos rapidly -- sort a modern day era equal to a escort carrier of WW2 --not as costly as a big carrier but that bit of air power kept subs under water in daylight hours if they were anywhere close to a convoy -- so they could not run on the surface and recharge their batteries in the daylight hours -- so the subs had to run on the surface most of the night recharging their batteries as they were for underwater use -- at night the protecting destroyers radars took over -- and anything not IDed on radar got shelled by protecting destroyers --forcing them back underwater with half charged or near dead batteries , the destroyers closed in and sat on the sub --depth charging them until the subs were sunk or their batteries gave out forcing them to surface and surrender or be sunk.

[Reef Dawg]

I WANT ONE! I WANT ONE! Now, I just have to win the Powerball. LOL

[FISHEYE]

I had a lucky night earlier tonight out treasure hunting around the central florida area.A local tv station near me cleaned out their warehouse and pitched 3 like new pirate catchers in the dumpster.I got 1 of them setup on my laptop and it works great!Even has a 50X zoom!I have just the place to set it up at vero beach.

Panasonic i-Pro WV-NS324 Hybrid Unitized Network Color Dome Network Camera

The Panasonic WV-NS324 can be connected to both analog and digital networks. Color camera, zoom lens, pan and tilt mechanisms are all combined in a single compact unit. When this camera is connected to an Ethernet network, you can operate it and monitor its images from a personal computer.

Or, you can use it with an analog color composite signal as part of your existing surveillance system using coaxial cable. With input from a motion detector or external sensor, it can automatically store images and attach them to e-mail or control external devices to turn on lights or start surveillance recording. Combining a 10x zoom lens with 5x digital zoom, it can zoom in for up to 50x close-ups.

It operates in lighting as low as 1.0 lx (0.1fc) and can pan a full 360 degrees. The Flip-A-Chip feature makes it easy to capture subjects passing directly below the camera, the image-hold feature prevents blurring when the camera moves, and pre-set positions simplify operation.

Superb specifications and a host of convenient features make the WV-NS324 ideal for a bank branch, franchise outlet or other network surveillance applications.

Features:

# Compact Dome, All-In-One Unit, Color Surveillance Camera
# Analog Video Output and Digital Ethernet Port are Available
# Built-In Network Interface (10Base-T/100Base-TX) for Remote Monitoring by PC
# Built-In Alarm Function for External Security Devices and FTP Alarm Activation
# 1/4 - type CCD Color Image Sensor with 768H x 494V Pixels
# 480 Lines of Horizontal Resolution
# Minimum Illumination of 1.0 Lux (at AGC High)
# Built-In Flip-A-Chip Function
# 360 Degree Endless Panning Range
# 10X Optical Zoom (4.2 - 42mm at F1.4) plus 5X Electronic Digital Zoom Lens Provided (total zoom capacity of 50X)
# Auto Focus Lens Mechanism
# Alarm Input/Output Terminal Connectors
# Digital Signal Processing LSI's for High Quality Pictures
# Multiplexed Vertical Drive (VD2) Sync Capability with Panasonic Systems Products
# AC 24V Power Supply for Easy Installation
http://www.mcstel.com/panwvns324.html

Whats really nice is all the cameras are in pirate proof Pressurized Dome Camera Housings Designed for the WV-NS324 Cameras
http://www.surveillance-video.com/pappprdocaho.html

I have so much fun playing with my new toys

[mad4wrecks]

That is great John.

It truly amazes me what companies will throw out in the trash.

I think you should set it up somewhere near Tracking Station and it truly may be a "pirate catcher."

[Deep Seeker]

It's a sea tank. Looks like it could withstand a hurricane looking at the pictures.

[FISHEYE]

Last night i got this complete wireless system from the same source with 3 mobile units.Got 2 units up and running on my network.I got enough components to make a small city wireless.It even supports live video feeds.

http://www.motorola.com/statichtml/M...MESH_Solo.html