Navy mulls missiles for next LCS

The Navy is “exploring options” that may add over-the-horizon surface-to-surface missiles for the next pair of deployable Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) in order to boost their weapons system, Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Megan Shutka said Oct. 26 without elaborating. No decision has been made, she indicated, because it was still "in the analysis phase." Defense News cited a Sept. 17 directive from the Director of Surface Warfare, Rear Adm. Peter Fanta, that the Navy plan was to install a missile "aboard all in-service (LCS) deploying to forward operating stations starting in fiscal year 2016" and on ships under construction. The report also indicated the plan was to try both Boeing’s Harpoon missile and Norway’s Kongsberg Gruppen ASA's Naval Strike Missile. Kongsberg had fired a missile from an LCS last year. (Source: Reuters 10/26/15) Gulf Coast Shipbuilding Note: Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala., builds one of the two LCS variants.