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 ensured 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 (MPs) to be used on the Flight 0+ Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). Although the total quantity is under review due to LCS ship and Frigate quantity adjustments, the numerical distribution of mission packages across the LCS/Frigate fleet is not expected to change the Program of Record within the FYDP. The Navy will determine the numerical distribution of MCM, SUW, and ASW MPs across the LCS/Frigate Fleet. The systems to be fielded as part of the MPs and the required RDT&E efforts will not be affected by the LCS and Frigate quantity adjustments. The LCS will be focused-mission ships that have the ability to embark the SUW, MCM, or ASW MPs. The Frigate will be multi-mission ships, with certain SUW and ASW war-fighting capabilities installed. 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 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 LCS Mine Countermeasures (MCM) MP will counter deep, shallow, and tethered mines in the littoral 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 and deep-water sea mine threats. The MCM MP provides these capabilities through the use of sensors and weapons deployed from an MH-60S multi-mission helicopter, unmanned off-board vehicles, and support equipment/containers. The MCM MP consists of the following modules: - Remote Minehunting (RMH) Module: MCM - Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MCM-USV) AQS-20 Mine hunting Sonar - Coastal Mine Reconnaissance (CMR) Module: Coastal Battlefield Reconnaissance & Analysis (COBRA) and the MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Take-off and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) - Near Surface Detection (NSD) Module: Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) and the MH-60S Helicopter - Airborne Mine Neutralization (AMN) Module: Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS), MH-60S Helicopter, and Barracuda - Unmanned Mine Sweep (UMS) Module: Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS) (which is comprised of the MCM USV and the Unmanned Surface Sweep System (US3) - Buried Minehunting (BMH) Module: Knifefish Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) The RMH Module uses a MCM USV and an AQS-20 to provide sustained mine hunting and clearing from the surface. The UMS Module provides endurance bottom sweep capability, the CMR Module will allow detection of minefield patterns and obstacles from an embarked Fire Scout VTUAV in the beach zone, and the BMH Module will allow detection of buried mines. When complete, the MCM MP will provide full capability against floating, tethered, bottom, and buried mines. The ASW MP 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. The ASW MP provides the warfighter capabilities that can be employed for ASW area search as well as high value unit escort missions. Key components of the ASW MP include a Light Weight Tow torpedo countermeasure, a Variable Depth Sonar, and a Multi-Function Towed Array. These individual systems are combined into three modules: Torpedo Defense Countermeasure Module; an ASW Escort Mission Module that provides High value unit escort capability; and an Aviation Module that offers airborne threat localization and engagement capability through a MQ-8B Fire Scout VTUAV and an MH-60R with MK54 torpedoes. The SUW MP 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. The SUW MP is comprised of several modules including the Gun Mission Module (GMM), the Aviation Module, the Maritime Security Module (MSM), and the Surface-to-Surface Missile Module (SSMM). 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 VTUAV for the detection, identification, and classification of surface contacts and to engage long range threats. The MSM supports the embarkation of a Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) team. The SSMM will provide missile coverage for mid-range threats and small boats. The LCS MM Common Equipment consists of enabling products required by all MPs 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.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2018
• Source ID: 3129_0603596N_4_1319_PB_2018

Tags

Readers

• Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.

Technology Areas

• Autonomy
• Directed Energy