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Pirates may want to find another profession. A few of these should easily rout all the pirates from the Indian Ocean.


This is the U.S.S. Independence (LCS-2) a Triple Hulled, Weapon-loaded Monster.


We've been hearing rumblings about the U.S. Navy's triple-hulled ships, but here's one that was recently launched. Built by General Dynamics, it's called a "littoral combat ship" (LCS), and this tri-maran can move huge weapons around faster than any ship in the Navy. Ironic, that with all the built in high tech, she reminds us of the ironclad Merrimac from the Civil War.



Littoral means close to shore, and that's where these fleet-hulled babies 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 there are plans to build 55.

This tri-maran 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.

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 February WIM Cover