Vietnam has opted to buy Sigma Corvettes...in essence (and the info is from Wikipedia) they will have a more formidable warship than the US Navy will with Sigma's vs. our LCS'.
That sucks.
The Sigma is more heavily armed. Has greater endurance. Its slower but who cares. Seakeeping? No idea. But as it now stands with the exception of mission modules, aviation suites (and I'm guessing on that) speed...the Sigma is clearly superior.
I've been looking at the LCS class through the prism of how it can help the USMC (secondarily Special Ops Command). That might have been a mistake. If the ship can't perform its primary mission properly then secondary missions become irrelevant.
Perhaps its time to relegate the LCS-2 class to USMC/SOCOM support, and to just upgun and slow down LCS-1 class and make them proper frigates/corvettes.
UPDATE:
Unlike some, I will make a recommendation instead of simply criticize. What ship would I like to see the US Navy acquire instead of LCS? How about the Absalon class? Yes...Mike of New Wars fame is sitting somewhere saying I told ya so but he was ahead of his time.
Oh and if you simply want an off shore fighter then how about the Knud Rasmussen class OPV? Either way you're getting more combat power out the box than with the LCS plus you still have the option to still have your mission modules (thanks Forrest!)
i have been wanting the LCS to be a proper frigate/corvette for a long time, they are POS's right now with no firepower, if you saw the navy is going to install the griffin missile system on it for short range surface warfare but its very short range and other than small pirate vessels i dont see the point in it, we need something to replace the oliver perry class that has served with such great efficacy, with the proliferation of subs, we have great subs ourselves but we need sub hunters too!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI think you are missing a few things.
ReplyDelete1. The LCS was not meant to be a OP replacement, although it can if they want it to be (both LM and GDLS have "up-gunned" versions including 32-cell VLS, harpoons, and multi-purpose CIWS in addition to mission modules available).
2. At a cruise speed of 18kts, the LCS (at least the GDLS version) outranges the Sigma by 700nm.
3. The mission modules also offer quite a bit of punch one they are fleshed out.
but we arent buying the up-gunned versions, and why are we building more of these things when we dont even have any mission modules that work?! i rather put the money into building burkes, virginias or america class amphibs than these.
ReplyDeleteThe role that the LCS plays cannot be replaced by any other system unless you are willing to pay a lot more. The whole point of the LCS is that they can be quickly and cheaply adapted to the needs at hand without having an expensive refit.
ReplyDeleteAs to module availability, that will come over time.
i forgot the ship but the Swedes or Norway has a ship that they call a Command Cruiser or some such thing that can do everything we're talking about and has more firepower. we're missing out on something here and i truly believe this ship is a paperbag without the stuff we want from the store.
ReplyDeleteis this what you are thinking of sol?
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visby_class_corvette
Or the Danish Stanflex frigate:
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StanFlex
THATS THE ONE FORREST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHello solomon,
ReplyDeletehave a look at the impressive new F.F.X./Incheon class frigates from Korea.
GrandLogistics.
Looks like Stanflex is what the LCS should have used instead of reinventing the wheel.
ReplyDeleteThe Sigma is not clearly superior to LCS. It has less endurance (3,600 to 4,300 at 18 knots), a similar gun, fewer SAM's (8 to either 11 or 21), and no helicopter hanger. Without helicopters of its own a Sigma would be unable to target a LCS while the LCS's helicopters can find and attack the Sigma.
ReplyDeleteThe Absalon (evolved in the Iver Huitfelt class (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iver_Huitfeldt_class_frigate) seems a bit large for the LCS role. By the time you add a heli hangar and some real sensors, armament and propulsion to the Knud Rasmussen might be too small.
ReplyDeleteStill I have to give it up for the Danes here. I really like the StanFlex concept and they've managed to develop a class of cost effective and relevant warships (although not all MIL-SPEC) and in a timely manner.
A few other hulls:
http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollandklasse_(OPV)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protector_class_offshore_patrol_vessel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NoCGV_Svalbard
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UT_512L_OPV
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NoCGV_Harstad
http://www.klevenmaritime.no/site/img/233/MVE48_49_52.pdf
/Bolsøy