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Independence vs Spearhead

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Specifications
Independence Spearhead
Origin 🇺🇸 United States 🇺🇸 United States
Category Frigate Auxiliary ship
Type Littoral combat ship Expeditionary Fast Transport
Manufacturer Austal USA Austal USA
Year introduced 2010 2012
Number built 19 units 15 units
Estimated unit price $360 million $180 million
Displacement 3,104 tons 1,515 tons
Maximum speed 44.0 knots 43.0 knots
Range 4,300 nm at 18 knots 1,200 nm
Length 127.0 m 103.0 m
Beam 32.0 m 28.5 m
Crew 40 41
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Independence Spearhead
Armament
  • 1 × BAE Systems Mk 110 57 mm gun
  • 1 × Raytheon SeaRAM CIWS
  • 4 × .50-cal guns (2 aft, 2 forward)
  • 2 × 30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster II guns
  • 8 × RGM-184A Naval Strike Missiles
  • 24 × AGM-114L Hellfire missiles
  • 4x mounts for M2 .50 caliber machine guns
Propulsion CODOG system: 2 × General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, 2 × MTU Friedrichshafen 20V 8000 Series diesel engines, 4 × diesel generators Four MTU 20V8000 M71L diesel engines, Four ZF 60000NR2H reduction gears

Overview

The Independence is a Frigate, while the Spearhead is a Auxiliary ship.

The Independence displaces 3,104 tons — 2.0x the Spearhead's 1,515 tons. The Independence reaches 44 knots vs 43 knots for the Spearhead. Operational range is 4,300 nautical miles for the Independence vs 1,200 for the Spearhead. The Independence carries a crew of 40 vs 41 for the Spearhead.

The Independence was produced in 19 units vs 15 for the Spearhead. Cost per hull is $360M for the Independence vs $180M for the Spearhead. The Independence was commissioned in 2010, 2 years before the Spearhead (2012).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Independence-class or Spearhead-class?
The Independence-class has greater displacement at 3,104 tons compared to the Spearhead-class's 1,515 tons.
Which is faster, the Independence-class or Spearhead-class?
The Independence-class is faster with a maximum speed of 44 knots compared to the Spearhead-class's 43 knots.
Which has longer range, the Independence-class or Spearhead-class?
The Independence-class has a longer range at 4,300 nautical miles compared to the Spearhead-class's 1,200 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Independence-class or Spearhead-class?
The Independence-class is longer at 127.0 meters compared to the Spearhead-class's 103.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Independence-class and Spearhead-class have?
The Spearhead-class has a larger crew complement of 41 compared to the Independence-class's 40 crew members.
Which is more expensive, the Independence-class or Spearhead-class?
The Independence-class is more expensive at approximately $360 million per unit compared to the Spearhead-class at $180 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Independence-class or Spearhead-class?
The Independence-class has been built in greater numbers with 19 vessels compared to 15 vessels of the Spearhead-class.