LCS Mission Module programme progresses
The US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mission Modules programme successfully completed the integration testing of two unmanned systems aboard USS Independence on 14 January.
The two systems – the Knifefish UUV and Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS) – are the part of the Mine Countermeasures Mission Package (MCM MP), which uses a system-of-systems approach to target specific portions of the water column and segments of the MCM detect-to-engage sequence.
During integration testing, the communications link between Knifefish and UISS and Independence was verified, and the platforms executed multiple launch and recovery evolutions from the ship.
With this testing, the programme has successfully tested each vehicle in the MCM MP, including the MH-60S helicopter and MQ-8B Fire Scout, aboard an Independence-variant LCS.
The LCS Mission Module programme has also certified all the aviation modules for the MCM MP for deployment on Independence-variant ships. These airborne MCM systems provide commanders the ability to rapidly deploy systems that can remotely detect near-surface mines, and neutralise mines in the water and on the sea floor.The LCS Mission Module programme office will continue to incrementally deliver MCM MP systems to the fleet in advance of the formal MCM MP initial operational test and evaluation events beginning in 2021.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy selects 25 companies for up to $1.9 billion nuclear submarine contract]()
US Navy selects 25 companies for up to $1.9 billion nuclear submarine contract
The multi-award contract will support the scheduled repair and maintenance of nuclear-powered attack submarines at the US Navy’s primary public shipyards.
-
![Which countries could the US rely on to progress with its shipbuilding programmes?]()
Which countries could the US rely on to progress with its shipbuilding programmes?
The US Navy and US Coast Guard (USCG) are in critical need of support to build icebreakers, surface vessels and submarines.
-
![Royal New Zealand Navy outlines modernisation goals]()
Royal New Zealand Navy outlines modernisation goals
The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) has a crunch time coming up as it looks to refresh its fleet before 2040, and prepares to begin operating Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters, although it is at the back of a long ordering queue. A key part of any solution is looking at what neighbouring Australia is buying.
-
![US Coast Guard awards contracts for the construction of up to 150 aids to navigation vessels]()
US Coast Guard awards contracts for the construction of up to 150 aids to navigation vessels
Agreements with Inventech Marine Solutions and North River Boats cover the acquisition of trailerable aids to navigation boats and cutter boats - aids to navigation – small.
