New data link for LCS 26 & 28

WASHINGTON - The Navy has selected L3 Technologies to provide its upgraded Maritime Surface Terminal (MST) communications gear aboard both variants of Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) allowing MQ-4 Triton or MH-60S pilots to share full-motion video and other data with the ships. The new gear will be fitted on LCS 25, 26 and 28, officials told Defense News. Even-numbered hulls are Independence-class LCS built by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala. Freedom-class ships are built in Wisconsin. L3T manufactured its T-Series Model S Surface Terminals for the first 24 LCS. The new MST is 700 pounds lighter, transmits 45 megabits/second (more than twice the speed of older version), and has two data links instead of one. The drone and helicopter are intended to work together. Currently, Fire Scouts pass reconnaissance and targeting information to the MH-60 and back to the ship. MST will allow both platforms to send full-motion video to the LCS at the same time. (Source: Defense News 04/20/18) LCS hulls 26 and 28 are named Mobile and Savannah.