Many Navy officials assembled in Georgia to commemorate the christening of the United States Navy’s newest vessel.
“Crew our vessel and bring her to life!” said the ship’s sponsor, as the USS Savannah received her first ceremonial command from the admiral.
The ship, which was just christened, is currently the Navy’s newest warship, having entered duty shortly after.
Latest Technology
In his remarks during the event, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro stated, “the city of Savannah [Georgia] has played a significant part in our nation’s naval history.”
“The sailors of USS Savannah (LCS 28) will undoubtedly continue showing Georgia’s fighting spirit; they will play a significant part in the protection of our nation and Marine freedom,” said the admiral.
The U.S. Navy has invested billions in the Littoral Combat Ship. But with unsolved problems and a murky mission set, will it remain a key part of the Navy's strategy? @BradHowardNYC has a look at one of the Navy’s most controversial warships. https://t.co/EG0uqe4o5u pic.twitter.com/Djx6KSqML2
— CNBC (@CNBC) February 8, 2022
The Navy describes the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) as a “rapid, agile, mission-focused vehicle intended to operate in near-shore situations and defeat 21st-century coastal threats.”
“The LCS is capable of providing advanced operations, maritime security, sea command, and deterrent missions,” says the Navy.
Littoral Combat Ships, in particular, are divided into two classes, each of which is equipped with capabilities geared toward confronting global problems in the littorals.
The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) offers joint force access to the littorals. The LCS may operate alone or as a networked fighting force that comprises bigger, multi-mission surface fighters in high-threat settings.
🇺🇲⚓
The U.S. Navy commissioned its newest Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship USS Savannah (LCS 28) Feb. 5, 2022, in Brunswick, Ga.
Read more: https://t.co/MCg5I1WnUn pic.twitter.com/KXRW0fqZsX
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) February 6, 2022
Even though they are intended to perform identical functions, the two types of ships have vastly different designs.
The Savannah is a trimaran, and it is part of the Independence-class, which includes other trimarans. Instead of a standard single hull, the ship is supported by three smaller hulls, which reduces the ship’s interaction with the water; as a result, this increases its peak speed significantly.
On the other hand, the Freedom-class looks to be considerably more traditional at first glance, despite the fact it is everything but.
The ship is powered by a pair of diesel engines and two gas turbines, which allow it to sprint at dizzying speeds of more than forty-five knots.
It Was a Difficult Ride
To put it mildly, it hasn’t been a completely smooth ride for either of the Littoral Combat Ship classes.
A defective combining gear—a piece of hardware that allows the ship’s diesel engines and gas turbines to power the ship’s rotors simultaneously—has slowed the ship’s highest speeds to an unacceptably slow rate.
The problem has proven to be quite difficult to resolve. As a result of the combined gear’s position deep inside the ship’s hull, the Navy was forced to think outside the box when it came to figuring out just how to repair the ship.
In addition to becoming the 14th Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship in the Navy’s fleet, the USS Savannah will have a homeport in San Diego, California.
Though they didn’t start well, the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships appear to be coming into their own as time goes on.
