LCS industry options not at forefront

Austal USA, Mobile, Ala.-based builder of the USS Independence-class, and Lockheed Martin, builder of the USS Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship, have offered options for a “Frigate-type” LCS with hull lengthening, better weapons, better sensors, and various upgrades for higher performance, lethality, survivability, and C4SIR. Instead of an LCS frigate variant, the Navy opted to issue an RFP for a Future Guided Missile Frigate (FFG(X)). Nonetheless, the Navy has taken steps to improve the lethality, survivability, and weapons’ range of the LCSs with its initial Mission Packages (MP): Surface warfare (SUW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and mine countermeasures (MCM). A feature of the Independence-variant LCS is its Mission Bay Deck, specific to the Austal USA-built ships, and tie-down anchors, which could transport Marines/Army small ground combat vehicles. As of December, NAVSEA says LCSs have not transported ground combat vehicles, nor is it part of the mission requirement. NAVSEA stated that a study is required in order to transport vehicles aboard the Independence-class LCS. Lockheed Martin showed a scale model at the Surface Navy Association (SNA) conference that featured Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) that will be installed in the (FFG(X)) as a suggestion to improve the lethality and survivability of Freedom-class ships. According to NAVSEA, again, the Navy has not fully explored or studied LM’s options for adding VLS cells to Freedom-class ships. The Navy’s current plans are less ambitious. The Navy has no requirement for LCS to be fitted with the Vertical Launch System 8-cell Mission Module plug-in (or 16 VLS cells in place of the two 30mm Bushmaster autocannon turrets in the SUW MP) and is not actively seeking any development. Analysis would be required to determine feasibility of outfitting both variants with VLS. The Navy does not currently require this capability. The Navy plans to field the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) to LCS to provide anti-ship capability in addition to the SUW mission package. The Navy has not studied other missiles for the NSM launcher on LCS or fitting in a different missile container. (Source: Naval News 12/12/19) https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2019/12/u-s-navy-still-has-yet-to-fully-explore-industry-suggested-lcs-upgrade-options-usages/