“LCS is the future of our surface Navy,” Vice Admiral D.C. Curtis, commander of naval surface forces, said back in January. “This program will complement the strengths of larger warships. LCS will be a deterrent of green and brown water threats.”
Being the first trimaran to enter service, the Independence has passed its speed testing with flying colors, managing to reach 45 knots, or nearly 50 mph (80 km/h).
The trimaran hull is to be held accountable for these high speeds, while it's overall shape allows it to reach rapid acceleration and turn tightly. Capable of carrying 2 SH-60 Seahawk helicopters and one H-53 Sea Dragon helicopter, the Independence comes armed with surface-to-air missile launcher, 57 mm gun and several other minor caliber guns.
The overall shape of the ship, as well as its “plug-and-play” integration of core systems and LCS mission modules (including joystick control of the rudder) are so successful the ship is considered to become one of the most influential in the history of the fleet, with the design likely to become the fleet's new standard.
"LCS will have the capability...to secure the littoral regions upon which communities rely on for food, transportation and for their well-being and to protect critical chokepoints in the global supply chain, to launch unmanned air, underwater and surface vehicles that will keep our trade at sea and our men and women ashore safe from harm," said Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations motivates the reasons behind the Independence's existence
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