Commissioned on January 16 2010, the Independence (LCS-2) is a brand new class of littoral combat ship for the US Navy. Just a glance at the vessel reveals it is very advanced in concept and design. Based on a trimaran hull, the ship is designed for use as a small assault transport that can be converted easily for other tasks via the use of mission modules. The 127m-long USS Independence can move at sustainable speeds of up to 50 knots, and it is crewed by 40 sailors. The craft’s flight deck can accommodate a pair of SH-60 Seahawk helicopters. Despite only entering US Navy service a few months ago, this modern hi-tech naval vessel is now appearing in kit-set form as part of Dragon’s 1/700 Modern Sea Power Series. The sleek and stealthy lines of the USS Independence are beautifully captured in miniature. Although the shape is complex and angular, CAD drawings have enabled the exact shape to be recreated. Being such a new ship, the complete kit is obviously a brand new tooling. Slide-mold technology has allowed the deck and bridge to be manufactured as a single injected piece, which cuts the need for a lot of difficult assembly. As is standard in Dragon’s ship kits, modelers have the choice of assembling a full-hull or waterline-hull version. Full of detail such as main weapon systems like the Mk 110 dual-purpose gun and SeaRAM 11-cell launcher, the 1/700 ship even includes a scale SH-70 Seahawk helicopter. Showing how finely scaled the kit really is, this small helicopter can even be parked inside the hangar bay adjoining the flight deck. This ship, this kit, is a truly cutting-edge vessel destined to serve well in the naval collections of modelers for years to come. Paint and glue required (not included).