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»Admiral Gilday Explains LCS ASW and MCM Module Decisions
Sailors assigned to Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5, transport a Mk 18 Mod 2 Kingfish unmanned underwater vehicle during a mine countermeasures exercise. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden)

Admiral Gilday Explains LCS ASW and MCM Module Decisions

U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Gilday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) webinar held on April 28, 2022, answered a question posed by Naval News on the status of the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Mine Countermeasures (MCM) Mission Modules for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS).

Peter Ong 05 May 2022

With the exception of the Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) Module that is currently fielded, the other two Mission Modules have had their share of issues and program delays. The reason for the ASW and MCM Mission Modules is that the LCS lacks the installed weapons and equipment to conduct ASW and MCM missions without these Mission Module components.

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Michael Gilday responded to this question asked by Naval News.

Naval News: With the early decommissioning of [some of the early] Freedom-class LCSs [Littoral Combat Ship], do you think that the littoral MCM [Mine Countermeasures], Surface Warfare, and ASW [Anti-Submarine Warfare] tasks requirements are fulfilled, or is another new littoral combat ship design required?

Admiral Gilday: The [Constellation-class] frigates would be the gap-filler there with respect to ASW.  Those requirements for that ASW package for [the] LCS were developed back in 2008 against a diesel [submarine] threat in the littorals.  And then our minds shifted to we’ll be using these things in the deep blue ocean.  First of all, the ASW Modules just didn’t pan out; the VDS [Variable Depth Sonar] didn’t work as it should.  LCS is as noisy as an aircraft carrier and so there are some big challenges there that we should have pick up on way earlier. And for me it got to the point where I’ve been looking at the data on the ASW package for the last year-and-a-half to two years and it got to the point where a decision needed to be made and I wouldn’t put more money against it and that left the future of those ships open.

The MCM Modules are on track to IOC [Initial Operating Capability] either late this Summer or in the Fall, but within the next year, and so we’re in a better path with the MCM Modules, and the Surface Warfare Module has been around since 2019 with IOC.

U.S. Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) provides information on the three Mission Modules here.

The placement of the Mission Modules aboard both LCSs can be seen in the photos below.

USS Freedom-class LCS with two Anti-Surface Warfare 30mm turret Mission Modules and 24 Longbow Hellfire Anti-Tank Guided Missiles installed (MM-space). (Photo: Seaforces.org)
USS Independence-class trimaran LCS with two Anti-Surface Warfare 30mm turret Mission Modules and 24 Longbow Hellfire Anti-Tank Guided Missiles installed (MM-space). (Photo: Seaforces.org)

Naval News Comments

Naval News has covered the development of the upcoming Constellation-class frigate (FFG 62) that will take over the ASW role for the LCS. While the original FREMM frigate design had a bow sonar, the U.S. Navy opted to remove the bow sonar and use a Thales Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) instead.

Besides the Thales VDS, other Constellation-class (FFG 62) ASW options include a MH-60R Anti-Submarine and Surface Attack helicopter, Anti-Submarine Rockets (ASROC) launched from the 32-cell Mark 41 vertical launch system (VLS), and the AN/SQQ(V)16 Undersea and Anti-Submarine Warfare Combat System.

The flexibility of the LCS MCM Mission Module means that practical unmanned surface vessels (USV) and unmanned underwater vessels (UUV) can be embarked to provide services for the MCM Module.  Naval News has covered some of the USVs and UUVs being tested for MCM Warfare.

Freedom-class LCS MCM 2022-05-05
Tags Freedom-class LCS MCM
Facebook Twitter Stumble linkedin Pinterest More

Authors

Posted by : Peter Ong
Peter Ong is a Freelance Writer with United States and International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) media credentials and lives in California. Peter has a Bachelor's Degree in Technical Writing/Graphic Design and a Master's Degree in Business. He writes articles for defense, maritime and emergency vehicle publications.

Related Articles

Austal USA celebrates christening of the future USS Augusta (LCS 34)

Austal USA celebrates christening of the future USS Augusta (LCS 34)

Naval News Staff 19 Dec 2022
Austal USA celebrated the christening of the future USS Augusta (LCS 34) Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship.
US Navy Accepts Delivery of 23rd Littoral Combat Ship

US Navy Accepts Delivery of 23rd Littoral Combat Ship

Naval News Staff 24 Sep 2022
The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Cooperstown (LCS 23) at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin Sept. 20.
U.S. Navy LCS Begins First Ever Middle East Deployment

U.S. Navy LCS Begins First Ever Middle East Deployment

Naval News Staff 28 Jun 2022
MANAMA, Bahrain - USS Sioux City (LCS 11) arrived to Bahrain for a scheduled port visit, June 25, marking the completion of a 10,000-mile journey while becoming the first littoral combat ship to operate in the Middle East.

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