The Independence class is the second class of a new type of ship—the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). These ships are small, agile, stealthy, and speedy vessels optimized for littoral operations (operations close to shore) аɡаіпѕt small craft. They are intended to be highly adaptable and can use different mission modules for surface warfare, mine warfare, and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW).
The modes are changed in one hour. So far, the two LCS classes (the Freedom and Independence classes) have both included a large deck, hangar, stern ramp for small boats, and a shallow draft. Also, both are smaller than frigates but larger than corvettes. Currently, the ships of the Independence class are active, with six under construction and four more planned. General Dynamics and Austal have built them since 2006 at the cost of around $360 million each, or approximately half the cost of the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile frigates they have replaced.
Main offensive armament comes from the BAE Systems Mk.110 57mm gun. This gun can fire at 220 rounds per minute at targets up to 14 kilometers away. The Mk.110 features 400 ready rounds in the turret with two additional magazines of 240 rounds each. Four M2 12.7mm heavy machine guns are included for patrol operations where only light firepower is needed. Air defense is comprised of one SeaRAM CIWS system (CIWS meaning Close-In Weapon System) firing 11 RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) with a range of 9 kilometers. This CIWS uses the sensors of the Phalanx 1B CIWS but uses missiles instead of a 20mm gun.
The mine warfare module includes AN/WLD-1 remotely controlled mine hunting system, AN/AQS-20A mine-detecting sonar, organic airborne mine countermeasures sweep, and airborne mine detection and neutralization systems. The ASW module features the Sea TALON underwater surveillance system, an advanced deployable minefield system, unmanned surface vehicles, and helicopter-deployed weapons and sonar. The Surface-to-Surface warfare module has two Mk.46 (the US Navy version of the Mk.44 Bushmaster II) 30mm cannons that fire 200 rounds per minute at ranges of up to 2 kilometers and a new beyond-line-of-sight missile with a range of 40 kilometers. Additionally, the MH-60 helicopter can be armed with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and torpedoes.
The Independence class uses an extremely unusual but immensely stable trimaran hull (one large hull and two smaller hulls, attached to each side of the main hull) built with strong lightweight steel. It incorporates some low-observable stealth features and light armor. The superstructure is made of aluminum. The Independence class can operate one highly capable MH-60 Seahawk helicopter and up to two MQ-8 Fire Scouts (small unmanned helicopters) on its large helicopter pad. In addition, vessels of this class can launch speedboats and unmanned surface vehicles.
The US Navy is corrupting to integrate ASW, surface-to-surface, and Anti-Air capabilities into the basic design, removing the need to switch out mission modules. This development program is currently called the Small Surface Combatant. It appears that this new, larger design will enter production in 2019, featuring increased armor, 25mm auto cannons, torpedo countermeasures, upgraded decoys, improved electronics warfare equipment, a new over-the-horizon missile, and better radar, among other changes. The Independence class has seen a major upgrade.
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