LCS-LUSV combat integration RFP

The Navy has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on May 22 for Combat System (CS) Ship Integration and Test (SI&T) for Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) and Large Unmanned Surface Vehicles (LUSV). The LCS and LUSV combined are under the Small Surface Combatant program. The RFP was posted to beta.sam.gov. It said the work covers FYs 2021-31 and covers lethality and survivability upgrades to both the Freedom and Independence-variants of LCS after ship delivery and combat systems integration on the LUSV before and after vessel delivery. At the Surface Navy Association Symposium in January, LCS Integrated Combat Systems (ICS) Deputy Program Manager Kitty Sutherland said the service was starting a two-phase LCS lethality and survivability program to improve the capabilities of both variants (Defense Daily, Jan. 14). It includes improving the gun weapon system with an improved fire control system, upgrading the Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement program (SEWIP), improved decoys, upgrading to a COMBATSS-21-based combat management system to be common across both LCS variants, continuing deployment of the Naval Strike Missile to the ships, and upgrading to digital radar. The Navy now plans to transition LUSV to a program of record in FY-23 when it shifts it to the main shipbuilding account. The Navy plans to procure 10 LUSCs over the next five years consisting of two more Overlord prototypes, one LUSV prototype via research and development funds, two LUSVs with the ICS and VLS each in FY23 & FY-24, and three vessels in FY-25. The Navy aims for the later LUSVs to have the ICS and various payloads to support anti-surface warfare and strike missions. (Source: Defense Daily 05/27/20) https://www.defensedaily.com/navy-releases-rfp-lcs-lusv-combat-system-integration-testing/navy-usmc/