The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. It is designed to defeat asymmetric “anti-access” threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft. The LCS will rely heavily on manned and unmanned vehicles to execute assigned missions and operate as part of a netted, distributed force. In order to conduct successful combat operations in an adverse littoral environment, it will employ technologically advanced weapons, sensors, data fusion, C4ISR, hullform, propulsion, optimal manning concepts, smart control systems and self-defense systems. Speed and agility will be critical for efficient and effective conduct of the littoral missions. The LCS must be capable of operating at low speeds for littoral mission operations, transit at economical speeds, and high-speed sprints, which may be necessary to avoid/prosecute a small boat or submarine threat, conduct intercept operations over the horizon, or for insertion or extraction missions. LCS will have two crews - Blue and Gold - of 40 Sailors each. The crews will rotate operating the ship for four month periods. Because of the small crew size, Sailors are trained for multiple responsibilities.
ESRG, LLC has been awarded the privilege of working on the Littoral Combat Ship in the area of Condition Based Monitoring (CBM). We have proven, specialized maintenance monitoring and diagnostics products and capabilities that are on the "leading edge" of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) decision support technology. LCS CBM Health Monitoring System will be tailored for minimum manning and build upon and utilize ESRG remote monitoring, data processing, data analysis, report generation, web based tools and web based data access products currently deployed in support of over 100 US Navy ships.
The XCraft was designed to demonstrate to the US and other navies the versatility of a very high speed, high payload capability vessel which can cross oceans quickly, and operate in shallow coastal waters on missions which include mine counter measures and antisubmarine warfare. (Source: www.globalsecurity.org)
Read the complete write up here.
From Commander, Naval Surface Forces and Office of Naval Research Public Affairs
ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy took delivery of its newest experimental ship, Sea Fighter (FSF 1), at Naval Station Everett, Wash., in July [2005]. The Navy's fastest ship, Sea Fighter will operate at greater than 50 knots and has a range of approximately 4,000 nautical miles. (Source: www.news.navy.mil)
Read the whole thing here.
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