Mine Countermeasure (MCM) Mission Package

Abstract

The MCM Mission Package (MP) employs an incremental development approach to deliver capability which allows the continued insertion of mature capabilities throughout the life of the program without the need for modifications to the seaframes. The focus is to minimize service life extensions to both MCM-1 ships and the MH-53E helicopters. Future MCM MP capabilities will be considered when joint warfighting objectives or changing threats create new operational capability requirements that cannot be met by current mission package designs, or when new technological opportunities allow significant progress toward delivering cost effective enhanced capabilities. Future mission module increments can be tested, constructed, and incorporated into existing mission packages, one of the most important benefits of LCS modular design. The program has begun investigation into the feasibility of integrating the MCM MP on Vessels of Opportunity (VOO). In FY 2019 and FY 2020, the program demonstrated the flexibility of the modular MCM MP components by conducting a MCM Vessel of Opportunity (VOO) at-sea demonstration onboard the USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (T-ESB 4). The MCM MP will counter deep, shallow, and tethered mines in the littorals without putting sailors in the minefield. When the MCM MP is embarked, LCS is capable of conducting detect-to-engage operations (hunting, sweeping, and neutralization) against very shallow to deep-water sea mine threats and detect mines in the Beach Zone. The MCM MP provides these capabilities through the use of sensors and weapons deployed from an MH-60S multi-mission helicopter, unmanned offboard vehicles, and support equipment/containers. The MCM MP consists of the following modules: - Unmanned Minesweeping (UMS) Module: Unmanned Influence Sweeping System (UISS) (USV + Minesweeping Payload Delivery System (PDS)) - Airborne Mine Neutralization (AMN) Module: Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS) + MH-60S helicopter - Near Surface Detection (NSD) Module: Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) + MH-60S helicopter - Coastal Mine Reconnaissance (CMR) Module: Coastal Battlefield Reconnaissance & Analysis (COBRA) + MQ-8 Fire Scout Vertical Take-off and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) - Buried Minehunting (BMH) Module: Knifefish Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) - Remote Minehunting (RMH) Module: Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) + Minehunting PDS + AN/AQS-20 Minehunting Sonar - Near-surface Mine Neutralization (NSN) Module: Barracuda (Barracuda Neutralizer + USV + Mine Neutralization PDS)

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2023
• Source ID: 2550_0603596N_4_1319_PB_2023

Tags

Readers

• Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.

Technology Areas

• Autonomy
• Directed Energy