Northrop Grumman has discussed with the US Navy whether other vessels in its fleet could host the company’s MCM mission module, following the foreshortening of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme.
The LCS was supposed to host the MCM mission module being developed by Northrop Grumman but with the programme cut from 52 ships down to 38 funded, the company is looking to other platforms to host the capability.
One of the platforms identified as being a possible host is the US Navy’s expeditionary fast transport (EPF), a class of catamaran logistics vessels (pictured, foreground).
Kevin Knowles, director strategy
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The expansion of the Redstone facility in Alabama will enable Raytheon to increase production of Standard Missiles in the location by 50% and support Washington in refilling stockpiles after recent operations have depleted the Pentagon’s reserves.
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The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.
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The UK MoD is scoping out systems to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems, with a focus on low-cost modularity and speed to field.
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