The U.S. Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program has begun test-firing missiles from its surface-to- surface missile module (SSMM), which is designed to counter small boats.
During a Feb. 28 test off the coast of Norfolk, Va., the USS Detroit (LCS-7), a Lockheed Martin [LMT] Freedom-class ship, vertically launched four Lockheed Martin Longbow Hellfire missiles from the SSMM, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) announced March 7.
The “structural test fire” was successful and was designed to confirm that the ship can withstand the missile shot blasts, NAVSEA said. A similar test is expected to occur aboard an Independence-class LCS ship sometime in fiscal year 2018.
The SSMM will become part of the surface warfare mission package, which already includes two 30-millimeter guns and an 11-meter, rigid-hull inflatable boat. The mission package is slated to begin developmental testing aboard the Freedom-class USS Milwaukee (LCS-5) later this year and undergo operational testing and achieve an initial operational capability in 2018.
The surface warfare mission package is one of three mission packages being developed for LCS. The other two focus on anti-submarine warfare and mine countermeasures.