LCS Mission Package Development

Abstract

Program provides focused war fighting capabilities in littoral mine countermeasures, countering small boat threats and littoral anti-submarine warfare to provide assured access to enable the US Joint Force operations in the littorals. A mission package is a combination of warfare mission modules with specialized crew, support equipment, and vehicles including manned helicopters and unmanned maritime systems. They are packaged in a modular fashion so that they can be quickly swapped out pier side. Mission module development includes architectures, interfaces and integration of mission systems. Mission systems integration also includes the procurement of the first mission packages to be used on the Flight 0 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). The program has an inventory objective of 24 MCM mission packages, 24 SUW mission packages, and 16 ASW mission packages. Mission package procurement and delivery are aligned with the ship delivery schedule, mission area demand signal from the combatant commanders, and the retirement of legacy platforms. This means that 64 interchangeable mission packages will be available for use among the seaframe variants of the LCS class to support global warfighting and peacetime presence requirements. An incremental development approach to delivering capability allows the continued insertion of mature capabilities throughout the life of the program without the need for modifications to the sea frames. Future mission package increments 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 LCS MCM mission package will counter deep, shallow, and tethered mines in the littoral without putting Sailors in the minefield. When the MCM mission package is embarked, LCS is capable of conducting detect-to-engage operations (hunting, sweeping, and neutralization) against very shallow and deep-water sea mine threats. The MCM mission package provides these capabilities through the use of sensors and weapons deployed from an MH-60S multi-mission helicopter and unmanned off-board vehicles. The MCM package consists of the following systems: Coastal Battlefield Reconnaissance & Analysis (COBRA), Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS), Remote Multi-Mission Vehicle (RMMV), AQS-20A Mine hunting Sonar, Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS), Unmanned Integrated Sweep System (UISS)(which is comprised of the Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) and the Unmanned Surface Sweep System (US3)), Surface Mine Countermeasures (SMCM) Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) with Low Frequency Broad Band (LFBB), support equipment and support containers. The individual systems are combined into five modules: Organic Airborne Mine Countermeasures (OAMCM) Module, Remote Mine Hunting Module, Unmanned Influence Sweep Module, Coastal Mine Reconnaissance Module and the Buried Mine Module. The Organic Airborne Mine Countermeasures Module provides rapid mine hunting and clearing using the embarked MH-60 helicopter and Mine Countermeasure systems. The Remote Mine Hunting Module uses a Remote Multi-Mission Vehicle (RMMV) and AQS-20A to provide sustained mine hunting and clearing from the surface. The Influence Sweep Module provides endurance bottom sweep capability, the Coastal Mine Reconnaissance Module (CMRM) will allow detection of minefield patterns and obstacles from an embarked Fire Scout VTUAV, and the Buried Mine Module will allow detection of buried mines. When complete, the MCM mission package will provide full capability against floating, tethered, bottom, and buried mines. The ASW mission package enables LCS to conduct detect-to-engage operations against modern submarines that pose a threat. Specific ASW capabilities include protecting forces in transit, protecting joint operating areas, and establishing ASW barriers. ASW modules developed to provide the warfighter capabilities that can be employed for ASW area search as well as high value unit escort missions. Module components include a torpedo countermeasures system, a Variable Depth Sonar, and a Multi-Function Towed Array. The Aviation Module offers airborne threat localization and engagement capability through a Fire Scout VTUAV and an MH-60R with MK54 torpedoes. The individual systems are combined into three modules: Torpedo Defense Countermeasure; ASW Escort/Large area Clearance; and Aviation Module. The SUW mission package increases firepower and offensive/defensive capabilities against large numbers of highly maneuverable, fast, small craft threats, giving LCS the ability to protect the sea lanes and move a force quickly through a choke point or other strategic waterway. With the SUW mission package embarked, LCS has enhanced detection and engagement capability against enemy small craft and similar littoral surface threats. The SUW mission package is comprised of several modules including the Gun Mission Module (GMM). The GMM is comprised of two high velocity 30mm cannons and is augmented with the ship's 57mm gun to counter close in to mid-range threats. The Aviation Module uses the embarked MH-60R helicopter with Hellfire missile and the MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Take-off and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) - for the detection, identification, and classification of surface contacts and to engage long range threats. The Maritime Security Module supports the embarkation of a Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) team. The Surface to Surface Missile Module (SSMM) will provide missile coverage for mid-range threats and small boats. The LCS Mission Modules Common Equipment consists of enabling products required by all mission packages to provide common hardware interfaces, computer operating environment, communications systems, aviation interface systems and portable development & integration test-sets. Common hardware interfaces include definition, installation and control of mechanical, electrical and cooling requirements common to all mission packages. The Mission Package Computing Environment (MPCE) provides common services and Operating Environment to support all Mission Package Application Software and Open Architecture Products. The Multi-Vehicle Communications System (MVCS) enables the control and data exchange of simultaneous unmanned mission vehicles and the Seaframes. Aviation interface systems include integration and management of data communications, data processing and physical hardware interfaces such as common equipment and containers used by all mission packages. Development and integration test-sets provide a mobile operating environment installed in the Mission Package Portable Control Stations (MP-PCS) to serve as a surrogate Seaframe during mission package development and integration test events at test ranges. Per the FY14 Appriopriations Act, the LCS Mission Modules Program has been assigned its own PE of 0603596N. Prior year funding is located in PE 0603581N. FY14 funding was transferred to the greatest extent practicable.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2016
• Source ID: 3129_0603581N_4_1319_PB_2016

Tags

Readers

• Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.

Technology Areas

• Autonomy
• Autonomy - UAVs
• Directed Energy