USS Gabrielle Giffords fires NSM
USS Gabrielle Giffords fired the Naval Strike Missile on 19 March. (Photo: USN)
The Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) USS Gabrielle Giffords has successfully launched the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) in a shipboard operational testing and evaluation exercise, the USN announced on 30 March.
‘The successful missile shoot [on 19 March] demonstrates value for long-range anti-ship cruise missiles aboard LCS,’ the USN claimed.
NSM is a long-range precision strike weapon that flies at sea-skimming altitude, has a terrain-following capability and uses an advanced seeker for precise targeting.
NSM was fired from an LCS in 2014 at the Point Mugu test range in California.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that the USN picked NSM in June 2018 as its over-the-horizon missile solution for LCS and future frigates. It was pitched for this purpose by NSM developer Kongsberg and Raytheon.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Coast Guard enhances Arctic protection with a new Fast Response Cutter
After commissioning, FRC Frederick Mann will operate in Alaska and perform multiple missions.
-
US Coast Guard announces measures to further implement Force Design 2028 strategy
The US Coast Guard (USCG) created new units, including five Programme Executive Offices (PEOs), to facilitate and speed up the procurement of new capabilities.
-
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
-
Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates
The Italian Navy is being refreshed with two new ships ordered, while in the past six months steel was cut for a new frigate, an enhanced frigate was delivered and Horizon-class frigates passed a design review.