LCS 4 completes DT of mine module

SAN DIEGO - The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mission Modules program successfully completed Developmental Testing (DT) of the Coastal Mine Reconnaissance (CMR) mission module aboard USS Coronado (LCS 4) off the coast of Southern California, according to a March 15 release from Naval Sea Systems Command. The DT consisted of the MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle with its Mission Control System, an N/DVS-1 Coastal Battlespace Reconnaissance and Analysis (COBRA) system with airborne payload sub-system, and the post-mission analysis sub-system that supports software and support containers. COBRA is integrated on the Fire Scout, and provides daytime detection of surface-laid mines, mine fields, and obstacles in the beach zone. Mission analysis is performed upon completion of the flight. The purpose of the DT was to exercise the system in realistic environmental conditions using the assigned crew and aviation detachment to verify that the system is ready for operational testing. (Source: Naval Sea Systems Command 03/15/18) Gulf Coast Note: USS Coronado was built at Austal USA’s shipyard in Mobile, Ala.