LCS-2 USS Independence

[Mike Wren]

not sure if it's already been mentioned, but with 1/700 & 1/350 kits out I'm sure there are some options for this one...

was thinking scale-o-rama by using the Trumpter 1/350 to make a stealthy 1/700 assault ship LPD type thing for the USMC (or a 2035 HMS Bulwark...)

[GTX]

Lots of options:

Do it as any other Navy then USN
US Coast Guard Clipper
Turn into mini (UCAS) Carrier with ski jumps
Turn into Arsenal Ship style

Turn it into a spacecraft...

Regards,

Greg

[anthonyp]

I've been messing around with my 1/700 kit, and I've found you can turn it into a Harrier Aviation Transport and have 6 Harriers on the aft deck and still launch them.  I might end up calling it "Littoral CAS support ship" if I end up doing it that way.

The unfortunate part of the Independence class is the beam.  It's about as wide as an Iowa class battleship!  At 1/350, scale-o-ramed to 1/700, it'd be wider than a USN carrier, though it would make a nice base for that BAE Systems UCAV support ship that we came up with a model of a year or so ago.

And its knickname is "Klingon Warship" so...

[roughneck06]

Would it be possible to mount a 76 mmm oto melara or 127mm gun vice that horrible littel pop gun of a 57mm?

[seadude]

I just bought the Trumpeter 1/350 USS Independence LCS today. I'm the type of guy that likes a lot of armament on ships. A lot of these newer stealth type vessels in various navies look like they don't pack much of a punch.
A single 57mm gun and a single SeaRam on the LCS-2 isn't much. Anybody got any other good armament options to put on a 1/350 LCS?

[anthonyp]

I just bought the Trumpeter 1/350 USS Independence LCS today. I'm the type of guy that likes a lot of armament on ships. A lot of these newer stealth type vessels in various navies look like they don't pack much of a punch.
A single 57mm gun and a single SeaRam on the LCS-2 isn't much. Anybody got any other good armament options to put on a 1/350 LCS?

Scale-o-ramaed to 1/700 yeah, but I got nothing at 1/350 

[Cliffy B]

Depends on who you want her to serve really.  The gun can be anywhere from a 57mm to a 127mm compact, Harpoons (or equivalent), SPY-5 (compact Aegis), VLS (for ESSM), and normal Phalanx and RAM could be mounted.

LCS-2 Design with AEGIS


LCS-1 Designs with AEGIS


Some Shipbucket style designs from around the net:






Take a look in this thread over on Military Photos;  http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?105334-G-D-Showcase-LCS-Multi-Mission-Combatant  Apparently the GD version LCS-2 was to heavily armed vs the lightly armed Lockheed version (the one built).  Look at the 6th post down for 3D computer models of the GD version.  I think that one would be pretty darn cool to build if you ask me.  I'd still upgrade the 57mm though....76mm minimum.  Look at the new OTO Super Rapid 76mm; 120 rpm!

[proditor]

Papa's got the hook-up G-dog.  

http://www.gdlcs.com/sites/default/files/MMC-Brochure.pdf

You can enlarge the living heck out of the photos too.  

All of the downloadable GD content.

http://www.gdlcs.com/media-center/media-kit

And yes, I am in fact building two of the LCS MMC variants. 

[seadude]

I'll probably make a LCS MMC variant too, but I'm wondering on the following:
Where to put a 8 or 12 cell VLS for ESSM? The ESSM missile is 12 feet long. Do you think the hull is deep enough for a Mk.41 VLS cell pack in the spot right behind the 57mm gun where the NLOS was originally meant to go?
Cliffy, your first pic shows the ship firing missiles from a VLS on the sides of the hull. I've taken a look at my kit and the depth of the hull in that area. If I tried to put a VLS cell there, then it would extend into the outrigger portion if you know what I mean. I don't think the sides of the ship for a VLS are that viable, though I could be wrong. I'm not an engineer though. And the only place I can think of to put Harpoons is right behind the spot where the NLOS was originally to go.

[Thorvic]

If you look at the MMC brochure link that Prod posted, there is a 5 view of the LCS2 MMC, the MK-41 VLS are actually in raised mountings abreast the narrower hanger, much in the same way they are fitted to the RAN OHP class refitted frigates. The Harpoon is indeed in the NLOS location and the only was to fit a VLS system here would be an Isreali Barak thats only a deck deep or raise that section a deck higher to accomodate a standard MK41 launcher

[seadude]

If you look at the MMC brochure link that Prod posted, there is a 5 view of the LCS2 MMC, the MK-41 VLS are actually in raised mountings abreast the narrower hanger, much in the same way they are fitted to the RAN OHP class refitted frigates. The Harpoon is indeed in the NLOS location and the only was to fit a VLS system here would be an Isreali Barak thats only a deck deep or raise that section a deck higher to accomodate a standard MK41 launcher

The LCS-2 kits that are out now are very different from what is in that MMC brochure. The walkways on either side of the hangar are so narrow on the kit, that putting a VLS on either side of the ship is impossible.
Here's a sample link to the type of kit I have:
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery/misc/lcs/lcs2-350-pvb/pvb-index.html
For me, I'd at least probably put a 8 cell ESSM VLS where the NLOS was originally to go. Then put 2 Harpoon quad packs behind that.
Another question: Is it possible a modern 5" 54 cal. gun could be fitted and replace the current 57mm gun?

[Thorvic]

Well as opposed to narrowing the Hanger you could mount 8 or more tubes along the side of the hanger and the plate it over to retain the stealth qualities, something like the dutch did on one of their now defunct classes or as the canadians do on the Halifax class with the aparrows abreast the funnel in a scaffold type structure behind a protective plate. Alternaterly skin the hanger to be flush with the hull sides and then fit a MK-41 array atop the new wider superstructure.

Not sure re the gun as have a feeling the 57mm gun doesnt need the stucture below it, but you could possibly fit a larger gun belween the former NLOS mount and the original gun mount i suppose

[pyro-manic]

How deep is the "well" the NLOS was supposed to go in? You could fit something similar to British VLS mounts (Sea Wolf on the T23s, Aster on the T45s) and have a raised section to enclose the system if the whole thing won't fit as-is.

What about a MLRS box-launcher firing the new guided rockets? That would make for a decent shore bombardment weapon. You'd also have the option to load ATACMS for long range or harder targets.

[seadude]

The Mk.41 VLS comes in 3 different sizes to my understanding: Strike, Tactical, and Defense.
Here's a pic that shows the sizes with Strike being on the far right, and the Defense one being on the far left.
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/ms2/images/MK_41_Family_of_Launchers.jpg
And also this:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/MK41VerticalLaunchingSystem/index.html

[anthonyp]

Don't forget the Mk. 48 VLS which is intended for use with Sea Sparrow and ESSM only.