Littoral Combat ship built in Oz

[Larks]

July 2, 2009 The littoral combat ship underway during builder's trials. Australian Austal Ships Builder's trials are the first opportunity for the shipbuilder to operate the ship underway, and provide an opportunity to test and correct issues before acceptance trials.


Thought folks might be interested in seeing some of the latest pictures from the sea trials which Austal is prime builder. The builder trials started last week - this is the first step in the sea trials. Not only is the tri-hull design unique, but the main propulsion is by four large waterjet engines. Said they got it to 35-39 knots and it wasn't even at full power.

[JimJ]

Needs a coat of paint - Midnight Dark

[johnw]

And photon torpedoes.

[WX]

That is a serious looking vessel, I had no idea it was even in development.
Thanks Greg.

[Paul Pless]

When was the last time Australia used its navy in a non-humanitarian role?

[py]

awesome looking boat

[Eric Hvalsoe]

I can't help it, this is cool.

[PeterSibley]

Oops - I forgot.... we had them involved in the Iraqui situation - although, that might be considered humanitarian

Nup .

A very interesting craft ..I wonder what it's draft is ?

[py]

As I understand it these are for the US Navy, not local.
Phil

[peter radclyffe]

thunderbirds are go

[Larks]

As I understand it these are for the US Navy, not local.
Phil

that's right Py, built for the US, I should have added that in the intro, here's a link to a bit of info:
http://www.austal.com/index.cfm?obje...D0BD06A94CC667

[Larks]

Nup .

A very interesting craft ..I wonder what it's draft is ?

4.5m (design draft)

[PeterSibley]

I just opened the pdf ...there's a lot of ship underwater in that central hull !

[RFNK]

I just think it's hideous. Rick

[WX]

What! We're not even keeping one?

[AndreasJordahlRhude]

Marinette Marine Corp. of Marinette, WI built one for the US Navy. I think it may have been the first one completed. The hull was completely different than this Aussie example. They just received a contract to build another.

Andreas

[bamamick]

Austal has built at least one of these here in Mobile, and I believe they have orders for two more.

Mickey Lake

[RFNK]

What is `littoral combat' anyway? Fighting on the beaches?

OK, belay that! I looked it up - it just means `close to shore'. I hope we don't see any of these horrible things close to our shore!! Rick

[WX]

Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) are relatively small surface vessels intended for operations in the littoral zone (close to shore).

[seanz]

Is it just me......or does this look like a floating basketball court designed by Darth Vader?




This pic might explain why it has a draft of 4.5 m......the underwater hull is a giant scoop for the engine coolant.


Not pretty, but does have a good 'Wow factor.

[Paul Pless]

Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) are relatively small surface vessels intended for operations in the littoral zone (close to shore).

While not a naval tactician I kinda got question the advisabilty of putting such a large* capital investment into realtively close quarters combat...


* large: as in big ass easy to hit target...

[seanz]

Not quite sure how the USN is defining 'LCS'......perhaps it's fighting ships that aren't intended to be part of a carrier group?

As for easy to hit.....what are those domes on either side of the radar tower.

[Paul Pless]

Is it just me......or does this look like a floating basketball court designed by Darth Vader?

funny!

[Jim Bow]

While not a naval tactician I kinda got question the advisabilty of putting such a large* capital investment into realtively close quarters combat...

Other countries are forced to put their capital into education and healthcare. We have plenty to spend on armament.

[Larks]

I think you might find that these are being built in Alabama. They might have been designed here, but they are built in Austal's US division.

Yeah sorry about that, I meant built BY Oz, though I understand that the Yanks actually have the majority shareholding of the Alabama arm of Austal otherwise they'd not get the defence contracts.

[WX]

We have plenty to spend on armament.

That is something I find strange considering you are seriously in the red.

[RodSBT]

That is something I find strange considering you are seriously in the red.

Paper is still cheap, we just print more of it...money that is!

[Larks]

Paper is still cheap, we just print more of it...money that is!

So how much of America does China own these days?

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

Not quite sure how the USN is defining 'LCS'.....

It's just a fancy new word for a gunboat, Sean....

Mike

[skuthorp]

In WW2 this sort of craft was used


I'm not counting PT boats, Fairmiles and E Boats as I think they do not fit the category
Corvettes or frigates, cheap to build and ultimately dispensible.
Around the turn of the century Sloops of warlike HMS Geranium were used.


Earlier still 'gunboats' were less formal, in an action on Lke Champlain the gunboats were constructed locally on the banks of the lake. (Battle of Valclour Bay, 1776)

The Philadelphia on display at the National Museum of American History

[seanz]

It's just a fancy new word for a gunboat, Sean....

Mike

So, they're for diplomatic purposes only?


Don't see how they'd fit in with a carrier group and they're a bit OTT for a Coast Guard cutter......

[seanz]

The nice people at Wikipedia said this......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Littoral_Combat_Ship

So the trimaran is for diplomatic missions......it can carry armoured cars.

The mono-hull is for playing tag with Iranian speedboats.

[skuthorp]

This is a new Huon class minehunter built for the RAN, Don't think it applieas but the Patrol Boats we use up north might

Pictured are three generations of Australian patrol boats. On the left is HMAS Armidale and in the centre is the Fremantle Class Patrol Boat, HMAS Townsville. The Patrol Boat on the right of the picture is the Attack Class patrol boat, HMAS Advance.

Retrieved from "http://www.navy.gov.au/Patrol_Boat_Group"

[Larks]

Sku, at the risk of being a little bit pedantic, the one on the left is actually HMAS Larrakia, the second of the 14 Armidale Class Patrol Boats built by Austal Ships - though in Perth rather than Alabama. Interesting that the navy can't get their boats right for their own web site.Here is another shot of Larrakia during sea trials (HMAS Armidale is hull no 83)



Interesting thing about the Huon's, nothing is actually fixed to the fibreglass hull so that the equipment can withstand the shockwave from a mine explosion.

[Larks]

I think this one was HMAS Bundaberg, the ninth to be built, on her way to being launched. The 14 ACPB's were pretty much built and launched over a space of about three years:

[peterAustralia]

I have heard good things about Austal,

quality wise that is

[RodSBT]

So how much of America does China own these days?

Last I heard it was about $1.4 trillion. And they're not happy about buying more debt considering the value of the dollar, or lack there of.

Gonna be a rough ride. ...

But those boats sure are perty!

[Paul Pless]

And they're not happy about buying more debt considering the value of the dollar

unfortuantely for china, they find themselves poorly collateralized. . .

[pipefitter]

A buddy of mine works for this outfit that builds these interceptors.

http://www.tampa-yacht.com/

[boatbuddha]

Well at least is has a gun even if it's a small one.

[RFNK]

The `Oversize' warning sign on the truck seems a bit redundant ... Rick

[seanz]

The `Oversize' warning sign on the truck seems a bit redundant ... Rick

It's in hi-visibility colours.....people may not notice that big grey boat.