navy insights
First Anti-Submarine Warfare Mission Package Reports for Duty
Package Deal: New Combatant can be Reconfigured for Focused Mission
By Edward H. Lundquist
Edward Lundquist is a senior science advisor and naval analyst with Alion Science and Technology, Washington, D.C. A retired U.S. Navy captain, he currently supports the Navy's Surface Warfare Directorate.
With the recent roll-out ceremony for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) mission package, the Navy has now received the first mission package for each of the three LCS focused missions of mine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and ASW. LCS is a new warship concept, designed to meet one of three anti-access focused missions of ASW, anti-surface warfare, and mine warfare. Together, the LCS seaframe and mission modules are designed to defeat such "anti-access" threats, such as fast, armed boats, quiet diesel submarines and mines.
Fifteen Sailors will operate the LCS ASW Mission Package, including the Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) that will transport the sensors. (Photo by Edward Lundquist) 18 MTR
The combat capability is separate from the hull, or "seaframe." The modular mission packages can be changed to meet the warfighting requirement. Each mission package contains unmanned vehicles with sensors, carried in specially configured shipping containers. Specialists accompany the mission packages, as well as an aviation detachment for the manned helicopter and vertical unmanned aerial vehicles (VTUAV). A rollout marks the transition of the capability from component testing under laboratory conditions to the beginning of integrated functional testing on the seaframe," says Ann Sandel, Program Executive Officer for Littoral and Mine Warfare (PEO LMW). "The Anti-Submarine Warfare package will provide a unique capability to the fleet to detect and defeat submarines in the littorals." The ASW mission package addresses the critical warfighting challenge of detecting, localizing, classifying and if necessary, neutralizing enemy submarines. LCS is unique for a surface combatant in that it has substantial internal volume for the modules that comprise the mission packages. "Mission Modules were designed along with the Seaframe to take full advantage of the modularity concept," says Sandel. "Our efforts are for the sailors who put themselves in harms way to protect our national security and freedom across the globe," Sandel says. "This package is a small part of a larger acquisitions team working hard to give our warfighters the tools they need to complete their mission." According to the program manager, Capt. Michael Good, the ASW mission package will proceed to Newport, Rhode Island, immediately after the roll out ceremony for testing in deep water. Since the LCS seaframe is not yet available, the detachment will operate their equipment from the land. In 2009,
November/December 2008
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