Click here - to select or create a menu

Naval News

DSEI Japan 2023
  • News
  • Event News
    • SNA 2023
    • Euronaval 2022
    • Indo Pacific 2022
    • Sea Air Space 2022
    • DIMDEX 2022
  • Interviews
  • Videos
  • Advertising
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Home» News»U.S. Navy Tests SSMM From Independence-class LCS
PACIFIC OCEAN (June 11, 2019) -- A Longbow Hellfire Missile launched from an Independence-variant littoral combat ship flies toward the test target during the Surface Warfare Mission Package, Surface to Surface Missile Module Structural Test Fire on June 11 at the Point Mugu Sea Range, California. (Photo by U.S. Navy/RELEASED)

U.S. Navy Tests SSMM From Independence-class LCS

The U.S. Navy test fired a Longbow Hellfire missile from an Independence-class LCS Surface-to-Surface Missile Module (SSMM) for the first time on June 11 2019.

Xavier Vavasseur 27 Jul 2019

Following this successful first “structural test firing”, the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mission Modules (MM) program will begin developmental testing on an Independence-variant LCS in August.

SSMM testing on the Freedom-class LCS was successfully completed earlier this year. According to our USNI News, the missile will go out on a ship deployment later this year

PACIFIC OCEAN (June, 11, 2019) — A Longbow Hellfire Missile launched from an Independence-variant littoral combat ship flies toward the test target during the Surface Warfare Mission Package, Surface to Surface Missile Module Structural Test Fire on June 11 at the Point Mugu Sea Range, California. (Photo by U.S. Navy/RELEASED)

The SSMM is one of four modules comprising the LCS Surface Warfare Mission Package. Using Army Longbow Hellfire missiles in a vertical launch capability to counter small boat threats, SSMM increases both the range and the number of targets LCS can engage.

“SSMM is tested and well proven on the LCS Freedom variant. This structural test firing marks the first critical step in demonstrating the SSMM capability on the LCS Independence variant”



Capt. Godfrey Weekes, LCS Mission Modules program manager.

Structural test firing is a total-ship test involving live weapons fire and is required for each ship class or variant. The exercise also prepares the ship and trains the crews for more complex surface warfare tracking and live-fire exercises scheduled to begin later this summer, which will culminate in initial operational test and evaluation at the end of 2019.

The Surface Warfare Mission Package also includes the Gun Mission Module, containing 30mm guns; the Maritime Security Module, with 11-meter rigid-hull inflatable boats; and the Aviation Mission Module, including an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and a Vertical Take-off Unmanned Air Vehicle.

Independence-class LCS with NSM

  • PACIFIC OCEAN (July 10, 2019) The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) transits the Eastern Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alex Corona/Released)

In related (Independence-class / missile) news, it appears that the U.S. Navy started integration tests with the new Naval Strike Missile (NSM). US Navy photos taken July 10, 2019 show the Independence-class LCS USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) fitted with what is are highly likely Kongsberg’s NSMs.

The level of integration remains a question however (seeing the dark cable running from the launchers to the bridge in the above picture).

In June 2018, the U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon (Kongsberg’s US partner) a $14.86 million contract to manufacture and deliver NSM as the Navy’s new over-the-horizon anti-ship missile for littoral combat ships and future frigates.

Independence-class LCS Littoral Combat Ship US Navy 2019-07-27
Tags Independence-class LCS Littoral Combat Ship US Navy
Facebook Twitter Stumble linkedin Pinterest More

Authors

Posted by : Xavier Vavasseur
Xavier is based in Paris, France. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology (FIT). Xavier has been covering naval defense topics for nearly a decade.

Related Articles

War in Ukraine: Western Navies See Lessons from Strategic to Tactical Levels

War in Ukraine: Western Navies See Lessons from Strategic to Tactical Levels

Dr Lee Willett 27 Jan 2023
The lessons emerging from the war in Ukraine for Western navies range from the strategic to the tactical levels, the chiefs of the French, UK, and US navies told the recent inaugural Paris Naval Conference.
U.S. Navy awards contract to buy multi-engine training system METS

U.S. Navy awards contract to buy multi-engine training system METS

Naval News Staff 27 Jan 2023
The U.S. Navy announced on Jan. 25 that it awarded Textron Aviation a single, firm-fixed-price contract to develop the T-54A multi-engine training system (METS) aircraft.
BIW Delivers Flight IIA Destroyer Carl Levin (DDG 120) to US Navy

BIW Delivers Flight IIA Destroyer Carl Levin (DDG 120) to US Navy

Naval News Staff 27 Jan 2023
The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the Arleigh Burke-class Flight IIA destroyer, the future USS Carl M. Levin (DDG 120), from General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Jan. 26.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Legal / Privacy Policy
About Us
Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 Naval News
All Rights Reserved
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok