The dozen Independence-class Littoral Combat Ships delivered so far to the US Navy are at the one time shipbuilder Austal’s most successful design yet at the same time the one that has not quite lived up to its promise. The Independence vessels were conceived as a breakthrough ship. It was to be high-speed, agile, warship equipped with interchangeable, modular mission packages allowing the same ship to conduct mine warfare, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare operations.
With a highly trained crew of as few as 43, a top speed above 40 knots, excellent seakeeping capabilities and the largest flight deck on any USN surface combatant it seemed destined for greatness.
It certainly has contributed to Austal’s profits in recent times, allowing the company to expand to the Philippines, Vietnam and through a licensee to China...MORE
