BAE Systems to Build Gun Systems for U.S. Navy Littoral Combat Ships

[Someoneforyou]

UNITED STATES - 20 JANUARY 2011

ARLINGTON, Virginia - As the country's leading naval guns producer, BAE Systems will provide the primary gun systems on 10 U.S. Navy Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) to be built by the Lockheed Martin-led team. BAE Systems will equip the 10 ships with 57 millimeter Mk 110 gun systems.

"We're very happy to be part of the LCS program," said Gary Slack, president of BAE Systems U.S. Combat Systems. "We look forward to furnishing these dynamic new ships with the absolute best in naval gun technology."

BAE Systems will also provide a digital fire control system that allows the Mk 110 to accurately fire automatic salvos of the highly lethal 57-mm Mk 295 ammunition at a firing rate of 220 rounds per minute and a range of up to nine miles.

"BAE Systems' 57mm gun brings a new level of versatility against an ever-expanding range of threats, thereby matching the multi-mission requirements of the LCS program," said Mike Smith, managing director of weapons programs for BAE Systems. "We pooled the best technologies from sources around the world in order to create the most advanced weapon system of its kind."

The 6-mode programmable 57-mm Mk 295, pre-fragmented and proximity-fused (3P) ammunition allows the system to perform against either an aerial, surface or ground threat without requiring multiple round types. Sailors can switch from warning to live fire to engage a target in seconds, and the servo-controlled electro hydraulic gun laying subsystems provide robust endurance and extreme pointing accuracy, even in high sea-state conditions.

The system requires minimal manpower for operation and maintenance, and affords a high availability due to a redundant architecture design, built-in test functions, ready component access, and onboard tools and spares.

Work on the contract will take place at BAE Systems' facilities in Louisville, Kentucky; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and in Karlskoga, Sweden. Production of the gun systems is expected to run through calendar year 2017.


Source: BAE Systems

 

[Someoneforyou]

Mk 110 57 mm gun

The Mk 110 57 mm gun is a multi-purpose, small caliber gun. Based on the Bofors 57 Mk 3, the Mk 110 can fire salvos at up to 220 rounds per minute, and has a range of approximately 15 km. Current and proposed mounting for the weapon include the United States Coast Guard's National Security Cutter, the upcoming Zumwalt class destroyer, and the new littoral combat ships.

To increase lethality and flexibility, the ammunition comes equipped with a smart programmeable fuse with six modes: contact, delay, time and 3 proximity fuse modes.

 

[Someoneforyou]

EADS's TRS-3D Radar selected again for US Navy's LCS

EADS's TRS-3D Radar selected again for US Navy's LCS

UNITED STATES - 1 FEBRUARY 2011

Lightweight, multifunction radar already operating on LCS 1 and U.S. Coast Guard's National Security Cutter

Arlington, Virginia - EADS North America has received a contract from Lockheed Martin to supply its TRS-3D radar for the U.S. Navy's Littoral Combat Ship. As part of a recent Department of Defense award, Lockheed Martin will construct up to 10 Littoral Combat Ships through 2015. Under the terms of its contract, EADS North America will deliver the first radar unit to Lockheed Martin for installation in 2012.

The TRS-3D is a standard naval multimode surface and air surveillance and target acquisition radar. Designed for the complex littoral environment, it provides excellent performance over both land and water, minimizing clutter interference in order to more effectively detect multiple surface and air targets simultaneously. Supported by its highly flexible design, the TRS-3D radar integrates with a variety of shipboard systems and C4ISR suites to provide surveillance, weapon fire control and helicopter detection and guidance.

"The TRS-3D is the perfect radar for light combatants operating in littoral waters," said Sean O'Keefe, CEO of EADS North America. "It can perform multiple functions without adding unnecessary weight, making it suitable for a wide range of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard missions."

EADS North America already has delivered two TRS-3D radars to Lockheed Martin for the first and third Littoral Combat Ships, USS Freedom and Fort Worth. USS Freedom completed its maiden deployment in 2010, which included the successful interception of drug vessels in the Caribbean. Installation of the radar on the Fort Worth will take place in April at the Marinette Marine Shipyard in Marinette, Wis.

As the Navy's newest class of warship, the agile Littoral Combat Ship is designed specifically for a variety of missions in coastal waters that are often too shallow for larger ships. The ship will primarily be tasked with countering threats from submarines, surface vessels, and mines, as well as anti-piracy and humanitarian missions.

In addition to the U.S. Navy's fleet, EADS North America also is providing the TRS-3D radar to the U.S. Coast Guard for its fleet of National Security Cutters, of which three are in operation and two more are in the process of integration.

EADS TRS-3D multi-mode radar:

EADS North America's multi-mode TRS-3D radar is used to automatically locate and track all types of air and sea targets. It provides reliable track initiation and operation, independent of clutter situation for surface and air targets, at a rate of more than 400 tracks per 360 degrees.

The radar's antenna is made up of a planar phased array pencil-beam array in 16 or 32 rows of 46 radiators each. Electronic phase shifters are incorporated for scanning in elevation. The antenna includes polarization agile, or linear polarized, radiators.

Due to its incorporation of the latest signal processing technologies, the TRS-3D radar system is well-suited for the detection of low and fast-moving objects, as well as asymmetric threats – even in the most severe environmental conditions.

This lightweight system employs electronic stabilization to neutralize the rolling motion of vessels operating in choppy coastal waters, with specific operational modes to protect against sea-skimming cruise missiles and attack helicopters.

It is especially adept at coastal surveillance and long-range tracking for light combatants, while keeping operator workload to a minimum.

TRS-3D supports a ship's combat management system with sophisticated data, correlating the primary and secondary radar plots/tracks within its own radar tracker, while its modern suite of electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) increases resistance to jamming and interference. It features adaptive thresholds with scan-to-scan processing, including several clutter maps to minimize false alarms.

The radar's dual-target gunfire support mode allows for the use of medium-caliber guns without an electro-optical or radar tracker, while its rapid update rate enables detection of high-explosive projectile splashes with tailored waveforms.

Source: EADS North America

 

[Someoneforyou]

Rolls-Royce to power ten Littoral Combat Ships for the U.S Navy
16 january 2011

Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, will supply gas turbines and waterjets for ten of the U.S. Navy's Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) – the Group's largest ever marine naval surface ship contract.

Designed to operate in combat zones close to the shore (littoral waters), each LCS will be equipped with two Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbines powering four large waterjets, enabling the vessels to reach speeds in excess of 40 knots. At 36 megawatts, the MT30 is the world's most powerful marine gas turbine. Combining this power with Rolls-Royce waterjets makes the LCS highly manoeuvrable, able to operate in shallow waters and to stop and accelerate quickly.

Rolls-Royce is already supplying propulsion equipment on the first two Lockheed Martin vessels and today's announcement extends this with one firm order and options for a further nine ships of the same design.

Andrew Marsh, Rolls-Royce, President - Naval said: "We are delighted that the Lockheed Martin design has been selected for an additional ten vessels in the LCS programme. We have worked closely with Lockheed Martin and other partners throughout the design, build and sea trials of the first vessel, USS Freedom, and are making good progress on the second ship, Fort Worth, which is more than 80 percent complete and remains on cost and on schedule."

"The Rolls-Royce equipment, including the MT30 gas turbines and waterjets, combine to give an effective and efficient propulsion system perfectly suited for these innovative, highly-manoeuvrable, state-of-the-art ships."

The MT30 is derived from Rolls-Royce aero engine technology, building on over 45 million hours of operating experience and reliability. It also has the highest power density of any marine gas turbine - a key factor in naval propulsion where delivering a high power output in a compact space is essential. The MT30 is the latest development of Rolls-Royce marine gas turbines, and has also been selected for the UK Royal Navy's new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers and the U.S. Navy's DDG-1000 Zumwalt class destroyer programme.

The waterjets are among the largest produced by Rolls-Royce and can pump water at a combined rate of 25,000 gallons per second – enough to fill an Olympic style swimming pool in 25 seconds.

In addition to gas turbines and waterjets, a significant range of Rolls-Royce equipment is specified in the Lockheed Martin design, including shaftlines, bearings and propulsion system software.


Source: Rolls-Royce Group plc

 

[Someoneforyou]

Northrop Grumman Announces Team to Outfit Littoral Combat Ship Mission Package Containers, Site to Install Modules
UNITED STATES - 14 FEBRUARY 2011

BETHPAGE, N.Y., Feb. 14, 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) will support assembly of the U.S. Navy's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) mission packages at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, Calif. It also has rounded out its team of subcontractors to support the production effort.

The company recently announced the award of the first low-rate initial production (LRIP) contract, a $29 million award for three mission module packages – one mine countermeasures and two surface warfare packages. Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems is responsible for management of production and all production-related engineering of the mission packages.

"Our CEO recently told the Center for Strategic and International Studies that the defense industrial base will be called upon to find needed solutions at a time of tremendous pressure on the nation's defense investments," said Dan Chang, Northrop Grumman vice president of Maritime and Tactical Systems. "The Navy's Littoral Combat Ship concept is one Navy response to that call. It maximizes our nation's warfighting capabilities while ultimately minimizing budgetary impact. To help ensure their success, we put together a production team that will maximize the Navy's investment in this concept."

The mission module supplier team comprises: Earl Industries, Portsmouth, Va., which will build the TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) containers and be responsible for mission module electrical systems; Excelco, Silver Creek, N.Y., responsible for the Remote Multi-Mission Vehicle (RMMV) capture spine; Granite State, Manchester, N.H., which will manufacture RMMV cradles; Smith Brothers, Shelby Township, Mich., which will produce the maintenance stand assemblies mission module hardware; and, Teledyne Brown, Huntsville, Ala., for the gun mission modules.

The end items from each of those companies will be shipped to Port Hueneme, where a Northrop Grumman-Navy team will complete the assembly of each package.
The first of the LRIP mission packages will be delivered in 2012 from the Mission Package Support Facility in Port Hueneme. Northrop Grumman will reach an initial production plateau of four packages per year – two each of the surface warfare and mine countermeasures mission packages – in 2014.

A separate set of suppliers produce the various weapon, sensor and other mission systems contained within each package.

Each of the current packages was designed by U.S. Navy laboratories. Northrop Grumman has been the Navy's mission package integrator during the development of the packages and will continue in that role. The company also installs the Mission Package Computing Environment in each Littoral Combat Ship and manages the Mission Package Support Facility for the Navy.


The U.S. Navy established the Littoral Combat Ship Mission Package Support Facility at Naval Station Port Hueneme, Calif., in October 2009. Shown here are mission modules being serviced. Northrop Grumman manages the facility, which is staffed by both Navy and company personnel, for the Navy. Because of the capabilities and space available in the Support Facility, Northrop Grumman will complete assembly of the final production mission packages here as well.

Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation

 

[Someoneforyou]

Northrop Grumman Fire Scout Completes First Unmanned Test Flights on Littoral Combat Ship
UNITED STATES - 24 FEBRUARY 2011

Northrop Grumman and U.S. Navy Team Validate System's Integration for Future Operations

SAN DIEGO – Feb. 24, 2011 – The Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) -built MQ-8B Fire Scout vertical takeoff and landing tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (VTUAV) achieved a significant development milestone in November when it flew its first test flights from the U.S. Navy's littoral combat ship, USS Freedom (LCS-1).

The Navy conducted the activity, known as dynamic interface (DI) testing, off the coast of southern California to verify Fire Scout control systems have been integrated on the ship properly. DI testing started Nov. 13 and concluded Nov. 24.

"This was a great opportunity to witness the pairing of the LCS with Fire Scout because it represents what the Navy will use for future littoral security missions," said George Vardoulakis, vice president for tactical unmanned systems for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector. "We used the opportunity to demonstrate system performance capabilities with the ship, maintenance crew and other key logistical support functions."

Northrop Grumman is the Navy's Fire Scout prime contractor. A team of nine company engineers and air vehicle operators were on the ship to conduct DI testing with the Freedom's crew.
During DI testing, Fire Scout conducted a series of shipboard takeoffs and landings from various approaches. The testing also included subjecting the system to various wind directions and ship speeds. This process validated installation of equipment on the Freedom for future operations. It also allowed the team to identify any enhancements that can be made to improve use of Fire Scout systems on the LCS.

Fire Scout is intended to be a key intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance asset in LCS mission packages for mine countermeasures, anti-submarine and surface warfare. These mission packages allow an LCS to rapidly adapt to new assignments. Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for LCS mission packages.

With the successful DI testing, the Navy is closer to fully incorporating the VTUAV into LCS operations. Additional DI testing will be conducted on the USS Independence (LCS-2) next year.
The USS Freedom is the fourth ship and the third ship class from which Fire Scout has flown. Previous flight operations have been conducted from the USS Nashville (LPD-13), the USS McInerney (FFG-8) and USS Halyburton (FFG-40).


Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation

 

[Someoneforyou]

Marinette Marine Breaks Ground for New Facility to Enhance Littoral Combat Ship Program
UNITED STATES - 7 MARCH 2011

MARINETTE, Wis., March 7th, 2011 -- Marinette Marine Corporation, a member of the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]-led Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) industry team, today broke ground for a new panel-line fabrication building to support construction of the U.S. Navy's LCS.

The new building will improve the first stage of ship construction at Marinette Marine and decrease ship module travel distance throughout the LCS construction process. The building will feature automation to increase efficiency and provide the capacity for storage of steel and other raw materials.

In addition to this groundbreaking, Marinette Marine also marked the opening of its professional center and the completion of a project to expand its main indoor ship construction building. This expansion project nearly doubles the building's size and provides enough indoor space to simultaneously house two complete LCS hulls and parts for two additional ships.

These investments are part of a five-year, $100 million plan by the shipyard's parent company, Fincantieri, to modernize its U.S. shipbuilding operations, which will benefit the LCS program. In 2009, Marinette Marine installed higher-capacity overhead cranes, plasma-cutting tables and pipe-bending machines to increase efficiency and capacity.

"We are very pleased to continue with our shipyard modernization capital plan, increasing our capacity for the LCS program and enhancing our capabilities," Richard McCreary, president and CEO of Marinette Marine. "This plan has been carefully laid out to add the new, larger facilities with additional automation prior to the phase out of select older facilities."

"The projects underway at Marinette Marine will ensure our team continues improving efficiency for the LCS class," said Joe North, vice president of Lockheed Martin's Littoral Ship Systems business. "As we enter serial production, the shipyard enhancements – combined with lessons learned from building two ships in this class – will enable us to meet the Navy's need for affordable and survivable warships."

Marinette Marine and Lockheed Martin constructed and launched the nation's first LCS, USS Freedom. USS Freedom's capabilities have been demonstrated since its commissioning in 2008. The ship successfully completed its first deployment in 2010 and is now based in its homeport of San Diego, Calif. The industry team is also constructing the Navy's third LCS, Fort Worth, which was launched and christened in December. The ship is more than 80 percent complete and remains on cost and on schedule for delivery in 2012.


Source: Lockheed Martin

 

[Someoneforyou]

Fiscal Year 2011 LCS Contract Awards Announced
UNITED STATES - 18 MARCH 2011

WASHINGTON -- Contract modifications were issued to Lockheed Martin Corporation and Austal USA March 17, under their respective littoral combat ship (LCS) block buy contracts to add funding for construction of one fiscal year 2011 Littoral Combat Ship each.

This is the second ship fully funded for each contractor under its previously-awarded, fixed-price incentive "block buy" contract for the design and construction of up to ten LCS Flight 0+ ships. The two block buy contracts provide for the acquisition of a total of up to 20 LCS from fiscal year 2010 through fiscal year 2015, subject to availability of appropriations.

The amount of funds added under the block buy contract with Lockheed Martin Corporation for the fiscal year 2011 LCS ship is $376,621,375. The amount of funds added under the block buy contract with Austal USA for the fiscal year 2011 LCS ship is $368,592,125.

The ships will be built at Fincantieri Marinette Marine Corporation in Marinette, Wis., and Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., respectively.

The prices for the fiscal year 2011 ships were determined based on the competitive, LCS dual block buy contracts that were awarded Dec. 29, 2010.

"The awards represent the Navy's commitment to driving down costs in the littoral combat ship program," said Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition Sean Stackley. "We are executing the dual award strategy for these ships. Efforts to stabilize design, improve production planning, invest in shipbuilder improvements and leverage long-term vendor agreements all within the framework of a competitive fixed-price contract have returned this program to the level of affordability necessary for the Navy to move forward with construction at efficient rates in support of the 55-ship LCS requirement."

The additional funding obligated is for the seventh and eighth ships in the LCS class. USS Freedom (LCS 1) was delivered to the Navy September 2008 and is undergoing a continuous maintenance availability at its homeport of San Diego. USS Independence (LCS 2) was delivered to the Navy December 2009 and is currently undergoing test and trials in Mayport, Fla. Fort Worth (LCS 3) and Coronado (LCS 4) are under construction at Marinette Marine and Austal USA, respectively, and are expected to be delivered to the Navy in 2012.

LCS is needed to fill critical, urgent warfighting requirements gaps that exist today. LCS is required to establish and maintain U.S. Navy dominance in the littorals and sea lines of communication choke points around the world.

 

[Someoneforyou]

Lockheed Martin Team Lights Off Diesel Generators Onboard Third Littoral Combat Ship
UNITED STATES - 16 MAY 2011

MARINETTE, Wis. | A Lockheed Martin-led industry team reached a key milestone with the "light off" of the ship service diesel generators onboard the United States' third Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), Fort Worth.

The generator light off signifies the ship is capable of creating its own power and this milestone included the successful light off of the ship's four 750-kilowatt Fincantieri IsottaFraschini diesel generators. Fort Worth will undergo a series of light offs in coming months in preparation for sea trials, scheduled for later this year. During this time, the Lockheed Martin team will continue its dock-side testing of the ship's systems at Marinette Marine. Fort Worth will be delivered to the U.S. Navy in 2012.

"The generator light off is an important milestone in preparing Fort Worth to complete testing and set sail, bringing us one step closer to delivering the Navy its next ship in this class," said Joe North, vice president of Lockheed Martin's Littoral Ship Systems business. "Throughout this process, the team has remained focused on building on our experience while remaining on schedule and on budget."

The Lockheed Martin industry team designed and constructed the nation's first LCS, USS Freedom, which has sailed more than 50,000 nautical miles and demonstrated its capabilities since its commissioning in 2008. Based in its homeport of San Diego, Calif., the ship completed a highly successful maiden deployment in 2010 and is now fully integrated into the fleet.

In addition to Marinette Marine Corporation, a Fincantieri company, the Lockheed Martin-led team for LCS 3 includes naval architect Gibbs & Cox as well as best-of-industry domestic and international companies.


Source: Lockheed Martin

 

[Someoneforyou]

GE to Supply Austal USA with LM2500 Gas Turbines for USS Montgomery
UNITED STATES - 14 JUNE 2011

Second LCS-Class-Independence Variant to Launch in 4th Quarter 2011

Evendale, Ohio - GE Marine reports that it will provide Austal USA, Mobile, Alabama, with two LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbines to power the United States Navy's fourth LCS-Class-Independence variant. The new LCS will be named USS Montgomery, and will be powered by the LM2500s arranged in a COmbined Diesel and Gas turbine (CODAG) configuration with two diesel engines.

Austal USA plans to launch the second LCS-Class-Independence variant USS Coronado in the fourth quarter 2011. This vessel is also powered by two LM2500s in a CODAG configuration.

"This new LM2500 contract for the USS Montgomery comes on the heels of another order with Austal USA announced in May 2011, whereby GE will supply LM2500s for the third LCS-Class-Independence variant USS Jackson," said Brien Bolsinger, GE Marine general manager. "This most recent order brings the total to eight LM2500s GE will provide to Austal USA for LCS-Class-Independence variants, and is part of a contract for up to 10 ships over a five-year period."

On March 24, 2011 in Mobile the Honorable Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy discussed how names were selected for the two recent LCS ships: "Jackson has never had a ship named after it, and so this will be the first that has ever been named the USS Jackson. There has been one USS Montgomery, named after the state capital here, but it sailed during the Spanish-American War - it was a cruiser. So it's been a few years since Montgomery has been similarly honored. These two ships will take forth the history and the pride of Alabama and Mississippi for decades to come as they sail around the world, as they do the business of the United States."

The 127-meter aluminum trimaran LCS is an agile surface combatant that can be deployed independently to overseas littoral regions, can remain on station for an extended period either with a battle group or through a forward-basing arrangement, and is capable of underway replenishment.

The LM2500 gas turbines for the USS Montgomery will be manufactured at GE's Evendale, Ohio, facility, and will be delivered to Austal USA in October 2012.

Source: GE Marine

 

[Someoneforyou]

LCS 2 completes first RMMV launch, recovery
UNITED STATES - 16 JUNE 2011

WASHINGTON - Program Executive Office for Littoral and Mine Warfare (PEO LMW) announced, June 16, the successful first time launch and recovery of the Remote Multi-Mission Vehicle (RMMV) from a littoral combat ship.

The testing spanned two days and was conducted in Panama City, Fla., by Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City. The deployment and recovery demonstration of the unmanned, remotely-operated RMMV was conducted from USS Independence (LCS 2) while underway.

"The vehicle went through five cycles of deployment, towed operations and recovery successfully," said Capt. (sel.) Bill Guarini, Remote Minehunting System Program Test and Evaluation coordinator. "These tests focused on vehicle deployment and recovery, as well as vehicle stability assessments in the wake zone and vehicle remote operation. The tests also provided an opportunity for the operators to evolve techniques based on the results."

The Remote Minehunting System is comprised of the RMMV and the AN/AQS 24A towed-body, sonar sensor. RMS is part of the larger mine countermeasures mission package, and is scheduled for further testing this summer.

"The successful deployment and recovery of the RMMV from an LCS-class ship while operating underway is a significant program milestone, and brings us one step closer to optimizing the MCM mission module," said RMS Program Manager Steven Lose. "The combined mine hunting capabilities represented by RMS teamed with LCS will provide an advanced capability currently not in the Navy's mine warfare arsenal."

Littoral combat ships are fast, agile, and networked surface combatants optimized for operating in the littorals to assure access for joint forces. The primary missions for the LCS include countering littoral mine, diesel submarine, and surface threats. The underlying strength of LCS lies in the adaptive mission packages - mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare - that provide a modular, focused capability to combatant commanders.

PEO LMW, an affiliated PEO of Naval Sea Systems Command, designs, delivers and maintains the systems, equipment and weapons needed by the warfighter to dominate the littoral battle space and provide the warfighter assured access to coastal areas.

 

[Someoneforyou]

U.S. Navy Names next Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) USS Little Rock (LCS 9)
UNITED STATES - 15 JULY 2011

WASHINGTON -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced July 15 that the next Freedom-class littoral combat ship (LCS) will be named USS Little Rock (LCS 9).

Little Rock is the second ship to bear the name of the capital city in Arkansas. The USS Little Rock (CL-92/CLG-4/CG-4) was originally a Cleveland-class light cruiser that served after World War II, and was one of six to be converted to a Galveston-class guided missile cruiser. She was decommissioned in 1976 and now holds a place of honor as a museum ship in Buffalo, N.Y

USS Little Rock will be designed to defeat growing littoral threats and provide access and dominance in the coastal waters. A fast, agile surface combatant, the LCS provides the required war fighting capabilities and operational flexibility to execute focused missions close to the shore, such as mine warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and surface warfare.

The LCS class consists of two different hull forms, the Freedom variant and Independence variant – a semi-planing monohull and an aluminum trimaran – designed and built by two industry teams; Lockheed Martin and Austel USA. These seaframes will be outfitted with reconfigurable payloads, called mission packages, which can be changed out quickly as combat needs demand. These mission packages are supported by special detachments that will deploy manned and unmanned vehicles and sensors in support of mine, undersea and surface warfare missions.

USS Little Rock will be 378 feet in length, have a waterline beam of 57 feet, displace approximately 3,000 tons, and make speed in excess of 40 knots. The construction will be led by a Lockheed Martin industry team in Marinette, Wis.

 

[Someoneforyou]

U.S. Navy Tests LCS Minesweeping System
UNITED STATES - 21 JULY 2011

PANAMA CITY, Fla. -- The U.S. Navy announced the successful completion of shore-based and at-sea integrated system tests on the prototype Unmanned Influence Sweep System, July 20, at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division, in Panama City, Fla.

Designed for the LCS as part of the mine countermeasures mission package, the system provides unmanned mine sweeping capability that keeps warfighters out of the mine field. The system consists of an unmanned surface craft that carries and tows the minesweeping payload.

The test, known as Phase 1 Sweep Operational Checkout, consisted of confirming that the new sweep system can be deployed and retrieved from a surface craft and that it tows properly. The test was the first use of the prototype Sweep Power Subsystem which includes magnetic and acoustic sweep systems. The first phase of testing was completed on July 1. Phase II is currently ongoing.

"The first day of testing was executed flawlessly. The team performed very well and the system operated as expected. The data gathered during this first phase of testing will provide key performance parameters and establish benchmarks for the remainder of the test event," said Stephen Olson, Unmanned Maritime Systems assistant program manager for UISS System Integration and Test.

This summer's test program includes a full signature test and full mission profile where the entire UISS system will be tested in a series of integrated systems tests planned to demonstrate minesweeping capability in preparation for littoral combat ship mission package integration.

"This is another important step in our efforts to deliver evolutionary technology to the fleet," said Rear Adm. Jim Murdoch, program executive officer for Littoral Combat Ships.

An affiliated program executive office of Naval Sea Systems Command, PEO LCS provides a single program executive responsible for delivering the Littoral Combat Ships to include seaframe, mission modules, mission systems, fleet introduction, and life cycle maintenance and sustainment.

 

[Someoneforyou]

Lockheed Martin Littoral Combat Ship Program Full Speed Ahead
UNITED STATES - 28 JULY 2011

MARINETTE, Wis. --- A Lockheed Martin-led industry team is preparing the nation's third Littoral Combat Ship, Fort Worth, to start sea trials this fall.

Fort Worth, the second ship of the Freedom variant of the LCS program, was christened in December 2010. Now more than 93 percent complete, it remains on cost and on schedule. Builder and acceptance trials are scheduled early this fall in advance of delivering the ship to the U.S. Navy in early 2012.

"The team is focused on driving affordability initiatives through the entire process, and we'll soon begin construction on the nation's fifth LCS," said Joe North, vice president of littoral ship systems at Lockheed Martin's Mission Systems & Sensors business. "We remain committed to helping the Navy bring new and needed littoral capabilities to its fleet for current and future war fighting needs."

On LCS 3, the future USS Fort Worth, the team completed light-off of the ship's diesel generators this May and light-off of the main engines and rolling the propulsion shafts this month. LCS 3 is being constructed with 30 percent fewer production hours as a result of lessons learned from designing and building USS Freedom.

USS Freedom, the nation's first littoral combat ship, has completed preparations for upcoming final contractor trials. Trials include testing of the surface warfare mission package and the deck landing qualifications of the MH-60R 'Romeo' helicopter to ensure safe and reliable interoperability between the aircraft and ship. Since its commissioning in 2008, the ship has sailed 55,000 nautical miles.

In addition to Marinette Marine Corporation, a Fincantieri company, the Lockheed Martin-led team for LCS 3 includes naval architect Gibbs & Cox as well as best-of-industry domestic and international companies.


Source: Lockheed Martin

 

[Someoneforyou]

Construction Begins on Future USS Jackson (LCS 6)
UNITED STATES - 4 AUGUST 2011

Construction Begins on U.S. Navy's Sixth LCS Ship

MOBILE, Ala. --- The U.S. Navy authorized the first cutting of aluminum for the sixth Littoral Combat Ship, the future USS Jackson (LCS 6), at Austal's Modular Manufacturing facility in Mobile, Ala., Aug. 1.

The "first cut" is a significant ship construction milestone, signifying the ship's progression from design drawings to the beginning of a tangible form.

"The Littoral Combat Ship is a key part of our future fleet and demands the very best skill and effort from government and industry teams," said Program Executive Officer for Littoral Combat Ships (PEO LCS) Rear Adm. James Murdoch. "The commencement of production of LCS 6 marks another significant milestone in the program, and demonstrates the efficiency benefits of our 'block buy' arrangements with the ship builders. These fixed-price contracts ensure cost efficiency in the program and best value for the taxpayer."

The LCS is an entirely new breed of U.S. Navy warship. A fast, agile, and networked surface combatant, LCS's modular, focused-mission design will provide combatant commanders the required warfighting capabilities and operational flexibility to ensure maritime dominance and access for the joint force. LCS will operate with focused-mission packages that deploy manned and unmanned vehicles to execute missions as assigned by combatant commanders.

PEO LCS, established July 11 and an affiliated program executive office of Naval Sea Systems Command, provides a single program executive responsible for acquiring and maintaining the littoral mission capabilities of the littoral combat ship class, beginning with procurement, and ending with fleet employment and sustainment.

PEO LCS designs, delivers and maintains the systems, equipment and weapons necessary for the littoral combat ship warfighter to dominate the littoral battle space and provide U. S. forces with assured access to coastal areas.

 

[Someoneforyou]

Construction Commences on Future USS Milwaukee (LCS 5)
UNITED STATES - 18 AUGUST 2011

MARINETTE, Wis. -- Naval Sea Systems Command announced Aug. 18 that fabrication of the future USS Milwaukee (LCS 5), the fifth ship of the littoral combat ship class, has begun at Marinette Marine Corp. Shipyard in Marinette, Wis.

To pave the way for the start of fabrication, the LCS program office completed an extensive production readiness review Aug. 3-4.

The ship's design maturity and readiness, the availability of materials and components and the shipbuilder's ability to successfully start fabrication were all closely evaluated. Following the review, the Navy granted authorization for the company to begin construction.

"Starting construction on the fifth ship of the class is a major step in the life of this remarkable program," said Rear Adm. Jim Murdoch, program executive officer for LCS. "Based on our success in constructing the previous four ships of the class, I am confident we will deliver this ship on schedule and on cost."

LCS is a new breed of U.S. Navy warship, capable of open-ocean operation but optimized for littoral, or coastal, missions. The Navy remains committed to a 55- ship LCS program and is leveraging competition, fixed-price contracting and serial production to reduce construction duration and costs. In addition, Program Executive Office (PEO) LCS is committed to ensuring that, prior to the start of fabrication, the ship's design is mature and the requirements are well understood.

USS Milwaukee is expected to be delivered to the Navy in 2014. The ship will join USS Freedom (LCS 1) and USS Independence (LCS 2), both currently conducting post-delivery tests and trials, as well as the future USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) and USS Coronado (LCS 4), both expected to be delivered in 2012.

Milwaukee was named in honor of the city of Wisconsin, the state in which half of the class will be built. LCS 5 will be 388 feet in length and will be able to reach speeds in excess of 40 knots.

PEO LCS, established July 11 and an affiliated program executive office of Naval Sea Systems Command, provides a single program executive responsible for acquiring and maintaining the littoral mission capabilities of the littoral combat ship class, beginning with procurement, and ending with fleet employment and sustainment. PEO LCS designs, delivers and maintains the systems, equipment and weapons necessary for the littoral combat ship warfighter to dominate the littoral battle space and provide U.S. forces with assured access to coastal areas.