for something like $4 billion a pop, USN is essentially getting an unstable ship with an awesome electric system but very little additional capability and in many areas less capability than exist platforms. the S-band area search radar is out, and with the news of steel instead of carbon fiber superstructure of the third ship, so more top weight on an already unstable hull design, doesn’t look like the navy is planning on retrofit the area search radar in the future. so we are only left with a X band radar that probably doesn’t even have range to exploit the full capability of SM-2. no BMD capability period. so it’ll carry a combination of ESSM for self defense and Tomahawks in 80 VLS tubes. plus 600 rounds for two 155mm guns.
instead of that, USN could’ve had the Arsenal Ship projected at $500million each. 500 VLS tubes. using ATACMS missile with more range, and with 500lb payload vs 24lb for each LRLAP round.
well, let’s wait for the rail guns so DG-1000 can show its true potentials.

What I don’t understand is why are countries like Norway, Denmark, which even during the Cold War only had coastal defense navies, suddenly are building ocean going large AAW frigates/destroyers.

I don’t think anyone in the entire US defence establishment or even anyone in the universe knows quite what the purpose of the LCS is.

shhh, I heard the most important design criteria was the inability to mount any real weapon. can’t have a cheap platform that can threaten real ships the Navy want.

closeup pics of printed titanium window frame. from CDF
[ATTACH=CONFIG]217125[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]217126[/ATTACH]

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-05-23/how-the-u-dot-s-dot-government-hacks-the-world

How do you know it won’t be the other way around?
You steal, we steal, everybody steals. US just want China to follow its rule on stealing.

Any proof that this is in fact a 3D printed part? For all the evidence to the contrary on those photos it could just as well be a perfectly conventional, milled bulkhead (yeah, the tool paths could simply be from machine finishing the near-net-shape printed part, but as I said nothing anybody has shown so far makes that conclusion inevitable). What does the placard actually say, can somebody translate?

The placard certainly claims it is laser printed. brief translation.
aviation titanium alloy large scale critical structure laser fabrication technology. the latest evolution in 3D printing technology. already used to make 30 parts for 7 aviation projects including C919 airliner, large transport and fighter aircraft. first country in the world to master this technology. won 2012 national technology development award first prize.

I don’t see the advantages of such a design.

it doesn’t really receive the stealth benefits of a full stealth design because of all the external stores and mostly conventional lay out
it receives the aerodynamic disadvantages associated with faceted structures

worst of both worlds.

the new nose may generate more body lift, shift the CL, give relaxed stability, combined with full digital FBW, give you better agility.

It’ll be sad day when the J-8II retires. One of the last plane with the slim lines of a supermodel, in an age of BBW fighters.
on a more constructive note, i think all the J-8s have retired, though not conclusive since I’m too drunk to search right now. check cdf forum. J-8F still in construction, but without Kunlun engine.