photos courtesy of U.S. Navy

New "Carrier" Concept — The USS Independence LCS2 was christened October 5, 2008 by Doreen Scott, wife of 10th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Terry D. Scott. It's called a "littoral combat ship" (LCS), and the trimaran can move huge weapons around faster than any ship in the Navy. Ironic that with all that high tech built in, the ship reminds us of the Merrimac ironclad from Civil War days.

Littoral means close to shore, and that's where this fleet-hulled ship will operate, tailor-made for launching helicopters and armored vehicles, sweeping mines and firing all manner of torpedoes, missiles and machine guns. These ships were designed to be relatively inexpensive - this one's a bargain at $208 million - and the Navy plans to order 55 of them.

This trimaran is the first of the new fire-breathing breed, ready to scoot out of dry dock at a rumored 60 knots. It's like a speedy and heavily-armed aircraft carrier for helicopters whose namesake, the USS Independence CV 62 was retired in 1999.

LCS 2 in drydock

CV 62 in 1970s configuration