2017 LCS warfare packages' testing

The first Littoral Combat Ship is set to deploy with mine countermeasures packages, including airborne systems and unmanned technology, by the end of this decade. One of the three mission packages for LCS is mine countermeasures. They will do the job using a range of many unmanned technologies. The Coastal Battlefield Reconnaissance and Analysis (COBRA) system, a mine-hunting payload designed to operate aboard the MQ-8 Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle is set to achieve operational capability by Sept. 30, according to Marine Maj. Gen. Christopher Owens, director of the Navy’s Expeditionary Warfare Division. Two more airborne systems, (Airborne Laser Mine Detection System and Airborne Mine Neutralization System) achieved operational capability in November. The systems are headed for shipboard testing later in 2017 along with the AQS-20A mine-hunting sonar designed to be pulled by the Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle, a new surface drone boat now in testing. Despite some setbacks in development, officials expect the full new mine-hunting package to be complete by the close of FY 2019. (Source: DOD Buzz 01/12/17) Gulf Coast Note: Among Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City, Fla., missions is to conduct research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) and in-service support of the LCS mine warfare systems mission.