OTH missile for FFG-X & LCS?

WASHINGTON - Competition between contractors over a new over-the-horizon (OTH) missile designed to give Littoral Combat Ships more lethality is also being considered for the future frigate (FFG(X)) program, according to Raytheon executive Thomas Kennedy. The new missile program is part of an effort to make LCS more survivable against potential high-end enemies. The Navy is slated to award that contract by the end of summer 2018. The Raytheon/Kongsberg (R/K) Naval Strike Missile (NSM) is among their submissions for both LCS and the future frigate, according to Kennedy. Two major competitors – Boeing and Lockheed Martin - dropped out over feeling the OTH contract was being skewed towards R/K, according to Defense News. But, if the Navy plans to add the OTH to future frigates, it gives some perspective as to how the ship’s concept is coming along. NSM is launched from canisters on deck similar to the Navy’s current Harpoon missile, which frees up vertical launch cells for other missions. The Navy looks to accept proposals for the FFG-X in June 2019. The Navy awarded $15M contracts to Huntington Ingalls Industries of Pascagoula, Miss., Lockheed Martin, Austal USA of Mobile, Ala., General Dynamics’ Bath (Wis.) Iron Works, and Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to produce mature designs before the Navy drops any details. Austal USA and Lockheed Martin are offering more lethal versions of their LCS variants. HII may likely offer a variant of its Coast Guard National Security Cutter. (Defense News 05/01/18)