US Navy continues ASW mission package testing
The US Navy’s Program Executive Office Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC) has reached a new milestone on its Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission package testing, NAVSEA announced on 16 July.
During the testing period - Dockside-1 testing - the Dual-mode ARray Transmitter (DART) mission system towed body and associated launch-and-recovery assembly components were tested in Fort Pierce, Florida.
An in-water test of the active array was also carried out at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Seneca Lake Detachment’s test facility in Dresden, New York. This was the first opportunity for the new technology to be demonstrated in an open-water test environment, which will give better understanding of how the system will perform when deployed on LCS. The successful completion of the test event provided valuable information to the navy on performance specifications and options for future modifications.
Dockside-2 testing, which is planned for autumn 2018, will expand the scope of DART system integration to add three additional Raytheon mission modules to complete the system. The navy will take delivery of the DART mission system from Raytheon later in 2018 and plans to take the system to the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center early in 2019 for additional testing.
The LCS fitted with these mission systems is designed to provide US forces with assured access to coastal areas.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![GAO recommends better oversight of support for shipyards in the face of capacity concerns]()
GAO recommends better oversight of support for shipyards in the face of capacity concerns
The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) believes the US industrial base will struggle to meet US Navy (USN) requirements. This follows recent warnings from USN heads of a decline in resources and that the industrial base is under strain.
-
![Lockheed Martin wins three new DoD naval contracts including on Littoral Combat Ships]()
Lockheed Martin wins three new DoD naval contracts including on Littoral Combat Ships
Lockheed Martin has won contracts and contract modifications on systems and platforms ranging from missile systems and naval helicopters to Littoral Combat Ships.
-
![Saab to supply combat system for Colombian Navy’s frigates]()
Saab to supply combat system for Colombian Navy’s frigates
A deal between Saab and Damen Naval will add significantly to the technological fit of Colombia’s new vessels.
-
![Long development phases for capital ships not viable to deal with future threats, says Indra]()
Long development phases for capital ships not viable to deal with future threats, says Indra
Defence technology firm Indra believes governments, militaries and industry must focus more on technology to achieve effective naval warfighting.
