Thanks for those Steve, this article is very through and also talks about the other designs and their limitations, the mono hull one onbeing able to carry one Seahawk sized helo or two VTUAV’s. It says only the Austral design can operate two Seahawk sized helos at one time or one CH-53 or six VTUAV’s (VTUAV’s are Vertical Take-off UAV’s)

It also goes on ton talk about the weapons involved for both Australia and America and how America is focussing on “In close” combat where as Australia doesn’t need the same restrictions and is freer to look at more conventional armourments

What has really caught my eye is the Rafael Protector system USV. If the LCS has four of these systems whilest on deployment it could virtually run a self protection screen around it out to about four kilomenters. Incciednts like the “Cole” would never happen again and that is a comfort in any book.

Thanks for this Steve. It is an interesting concept and one that I do hope becomes a more familiar sight in the waters of the world

Nice pics Vip, thanks for sharing them. The Army Pic looks like Budafoss in Norway, am I close? and the Chair flying looks like an Sk-60.