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| USS Tulsa LCS-16 @ Pier 32-San Francisco bay |
It's a different looking vessel, unlike most ships that have tied up here. Its low slung profile looked more like a ferry than a warship. But the mission of this ship is different. She's not designed to engage other ships at sea; rather, she is intended to get close in to a foreign shore and assist with a few missions: mine clearing; reconnaissance, force insertion of special operations units; and heliborne missions from her flight deck to include drones and drone recovery.
The prototype was launched almost 10 years ago, and 15 of the class are already in service. The cost of this ship is frightful, over $500 millions. Originally, it was supposed to cost about half that figure. But, the Pentagon and its ship procurement program ran into reality. While the CNO and the DOD wanted something produced asap, it was beyond the capacity of the number crunchers to do it.
Years were added to the timeline; money wasted; orders changed; construction was underway and then the design was altered. Not the best way to build a ship.
The crew is composed of only 70 officers and men- not many. But their mission does not need large shipboard complements. Operators only; some engineering teams; deck apes; and a few deciders. Oh, and it was designed from a civilian design of a : Ferry Boat. Hence: a tri hull or trimaran if you will. Originally, the CNO wanted 40 knots of speen at the waterline. He settled for 30 knots. He wanted it capable of self defense; he got a maybe. He wanted a hull with survival shielding; he got a maybe. It is armed with 1 gun, up forward. A few other systems might add to its defense, but they will be added later. Google it and have a look.
Your tax dollars at work.
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