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| A CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter prepares to land onto the deck of USS San Antonio (LPD-17). This was the first 4-Sea Knight landing on the deck of the San Antonio. Marines from HMM-264, Aviation Combat Element of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, piloted the aircraft. Portions of the 26th MEU Command Element, the MEU's Combat Logistics Element, CLB-26, and Battalion Landing Team 3/8 are aboard the San Antonio to support the ship's Operational Evaluation. (Official U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Erik Hoffman) (Released), 3/12/2008 1:17 AM |
The above photo was taken in 2008 and since then the helo detachment aboard the LPD-17 class ships have demonstrated a capability to handle many more aircraft than the photo illustrates.
Somewhere I have a graph where the LCS-2 deck is shown to be as wide - or nearly as wide - as LPD-17. It's not as long, but LCS(-2) could be a nice extra enabler when loaded with extra marine aviation.
ReplyDeleteLooks like there is a fair amount of room. Wonder if it could handle four CH-47s?
ReplyDeletenot only four CH-47 but if the deck meets specs then it could also handle the CH-53K's.
ReplyDeletei think that this is an unexpectedly pleasant surprise. we have an LPD that can act as an LHA (-) in a pinch. very nice. to be honest this add fire to the idea that the ideal littoral combat ship (if you're actually serious about fighting in the littoral zone) is probably an LPD.
think about it. the aviation dept on this ship could easily handle a couple of CH-46's for the transport of Marines or Soldiers...it could at the same time handle an additional 2 AH-1Z's for fire support, escort and scouting and 2 more UH-1Y's for utility purposes.
I have been on both LCS. The LCS-2 has a very large flight deck probably good for two H60s turning. BUT we were told the deck is NOT rated for CH-53, not sure why? There is also a largish hangar.
ReplyDeleteBut...the is ONLY one means to lift cargo from mission deck to flight deck and that is with a lift of 6000 lbs capacity about a Fire Scout. A dumb decision IMHO
Given the jet fuel tank capacity, I would say the LCS have limited roles as Marine lily pads?
LCS-2's deck supposedly doesn't have the weight clearances required (with safety margin) for the 53s. Might well be resolved with the later ships built to that design (esp if the navy were to relax the speed reqs by 5-10knots, allowing some structural reinforcement of the LARGE space under the landing area.
ReplyDeleteBut then again, if the requirements were shifted to promote endurance patrol (30kts max, 12kts cruise) with a boosted endurance,significant air component and mothership capabilites, then we wouldn't have most of the LCS problems and most of its benefits would remain intact...