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
-
![South Korean navy orders four more Geomdoksuri Batch-II patrol vessels]()
South Korean navy orders four more Geomdoksuri Batch-II patrol vessels
The contract follows on from previous work by Hanjin Heavy Industries on the Republic of Korea's Navy’s (ROKN's) fleet.
-
![Virginia and Columbia-class submarine programmes sign long-term parts deals]()
Virginia and Columbia-class submarine programmes sign long-term parts deals
Parts from both US and Australian manufacturers will be used to build two critical submarine classes.
-
![Joint Expeditionary Force launches AI protection net for undersea cables]()
Joint Expeditionary Force launches AI protection net for undersea cables
The UK-led system assesses potential threats before they result in undersea cable damage.
-
![Algeria signals a shift to domestic shipbuilding for Type 056 corvettes]()
Algeria signals a shift to domestic shipbuilding for Type 056 corvettes
The government recently commissioned a report on the viability of increased Algerian shipbuilding.
-
![US Navy names DDG 146 Arleigh Burke destroyer after former US Senator]()
US Navy names DDG 146 Arleigh Burke destroyer after former US Senator
The latest of the Flight III Arleigh Burke vessels has been named for a former US Senator and Vietnam veteran.
