Catamaran?

Tulio · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 1:05 am **Posts:** 3236

I saw this image when I was looking at the Norfolk, VA area.

Interesting shape; is it a catamaran? Is this an experimental vessel, or there is already a class of ships with this layout?

Saludos,

Tulio

CAPFlyer · **Posted:** Sun May 29, 2011 9:20 am

Actually, it's a Trimaran.

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/07 ... eds-ahead/

http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_displ ... =1650&ct=4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Littoral_combat_ship

Hopefully we'll see more of these get out soon because they'll be of great use in operations against Pirates and Drug Cartels.

Tulio · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 1:05 am **Posts:** 3236

Thank you.

Found some information, on the Littoral Combat Ship.

I would have been surprised if for once, they would have come up with a project that is delivered on time, and under budget. :butthead:

Thank you for the links!

Saludos,

Tulio

CAPFlyer · **Posted:** Tue May 31, 2011 8:57 am

The original ship did come in on time and under budget. The problem is like with 100% of all Navy products - they can't make up their friggin' minds and change the requirements and equipment right up until the day it's supposed to be delivered.

It's unfortunate but true. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet project was on cost and on schedule until the US Navy decided that it was going to go from "just" an F/A-18C/D replacement to a F-14 replacement, A-6 replacement, EA-6B replacement, ES-3B replacement, and the carrier onboard tanker replacement. Meanwhile, they dropped the F/A-18C/D replacement requirement because now the F-35C would do that.

It's habitual for them and I fear the only way it'll get fixed is for their acquisition privileges to get removed like they did with the USAF and USCG for doing the same thing.

Tulio · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 1:05 am **Posts:** 3236

And, who cares, right?

After all, it is just dollars....our dollars. :axe:

Ike was right, wasn't he? "Beware of the Industrial-military complex...."

Saludos,

Tulio

The Inspector · **Posted:** Tue May 31, 2011 2:02 pm

I wonder what sort of cost over runs and delays will come from LocoWeeds version?

jmkendall · **Posted:** Thu Oct 20, 2011 2:07 am

I remember when they closed down Mare Island Naval Shipyard. All the Civie yards were complaining that they could not compete with a base like Mare Island which consistently came in on time and under budget AND had a reputation as the best Nuclear overhaul facility in the Navy.

They said it just wasn't fair.....

So now the overhauls are being done for triple the cost and double the time...with more post shake down deficiencies....ahhhh progress.

Oh...and the Yard Dogs at Mare Island were paid better than the Civie Yard Dogs ( i.e. workers)...AND still managed to do the same job cheaper!

The Inspector · **Posted:** Thu Oct 20, 2011 11:38 am

I also recall a hydrofoil that LocoWeed built @ the Seattle yard (formerly Puget Sound Bridge and Dredge) in the 60's that was too heavy to get up on the foils until they cut 6 inches out of the hull lengthwise, they however didnot rename it the 'DUCK' :lol:

Tulio · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 1:05 am **Posts:** 3236

I remember two of them, one named the Tucumcari, IIRC.

Saludos,

Tulio

CAPFlyer · **Posted:** Wed Nov 02, 2011 3:18 am

The two you remember are the 2 Gunboat Hyrdofoils the US Navy had back during Vietnam, Flagstaff PGH-1 built by Grumman, and Tucumcari PGH-2 built by Boeing. The one that is being referenced above is the Plainview AGEH-1 which came before the other two and was substantially larger.

Interestingly, Plainview still lies partially dismantled along the Columbia River in Washington State - http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/mya ... 8AGEH-1%29

The Inspector · **Posted:** Wed Nov 02, 2011 1:40 pm

U.S.S. Tucumcari PGH-2 Boeing built (1966) proof of concept vessel. While partcipating in tests off of Puerto Rico, while travelling @ 40+ kts. the boat (156 ft and over are 'ships' under are 'boats') struck a coral reef and came to a dead stop in it's own length of 72 feet. :shock:

Bow and one side foil support torn off and the vessel was declared as unrepairable after being rammed by the salvage ship sent to retreive it 'this is for your own good' (?).
If there are any Boeing commercial hydrofoils still operating, Boeing maintains a BOW (Boat on Water) team like AOG to travel to the vessel and repair it.

CAPFlyer · **Posted:** Wed Nov 02, 2011 2:05 pm

PGH-2 was also the basis of the 6 Pegasus-class Hydrofoils that operated until the early 1990's off the Southern US coasts in anti-drug operations with the US Navy and USCG. Pretty reliable and tough little boats. Sadly, the foils were retired for purely political reasons during the post-Cold War drawdown as it was determined that using US Navy craft for coastal patrol wasn't "cost effective" and could be done better by the USCG who at the time weren't allowed to operate "offensive" ships, so the PGH's were retired and unceremoniously scrapped save for PHM-5 Aries.

Too bad no one though to bring back the Hydrofoil for the new Green Water Navy now that they've figured out it's good to have such capabilities.

Info on the Aries - http://www.ussaries.org/

rreis · **Joined:** Tue Aug 04, 2009 4:42 pm **Posts:** 441

That reminds me of the unwritten rule at Skunk Works... Never do business with the Navy.

The Inspector · **Posted:** Wed Nov 02, 2011 4:18 pm

Another problem that reemerged with the SEA SHADOW, no 1st Lieutenant wanted 'command of a YTD or foil' on his record as they all think it messes up their shot @ CNO to have been in command of so few sailors- :roll:

Adam Kline · **Posted:** Wed Nov 02, 2011 6:51 pm

rreis wrote:

That reminds me of the unwritten rule at Skunk Works... Never do business with the Navy.

I use to elder sit for Jack Northrup in the early 80's and he said the same thing about the Navy. He must be rolling in his grave.

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