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LCS Mission Modules Teams with Maritime Surveillance Systems

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS040329-04

Release Date: 3/29/2004 12:00:00 PM

From Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Taking a page out of industry's playbook, the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mission Module Program Office and Maritime Surveillance Systems are teaming to tackle the off-board active capability of the LCS.

Maritime Surveillance Systems is currently developing the Advanced Deployable System (ADS), an underwater surveillance system, as a "mission module" asset for the LCS program. This off-board active capability will enhance LCS with an over-the-horizon active capability, to combat modern diesel submarines and mine-laying operations in the near shore region, without being detected.

"This capability will extend our large area coverage well beyond the line-of-sight, and provide the theater commander with detections not measured in yards but in tens of miles," said Capt. Walter Wright, the program manager for LCS Mission Modules.

The teaming arrangement is following Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition) John Young's vision of synergies of effort. The LCS Mission Module concept is a direct result of this vision. Co-sharing development also supports Maritime Surveillance System's mobile acoustic surveillance ships and LCS's active capability, ensuring that valuable resources are focused on addressing a common need.

"It's a perfect fit!" noted Capt. Pat Seidel, program manager for Maritime Surveillance Systems. "We're working side-by-side with the LCS Mission Module Office in the development of ADS, and we saw an opportunity to join forces in the active arena."

Mission Module Program Office and Maritime Surveillance Systems are assigned to the Program Executive Office (PEO) for Littoral and Mine Warfare (LMW), whose charter is focused on dominating the littoral environment. Newly reporting Program Executive Officer Rear Adm. (sel.) William Landay has made a priority of co-development across program office boundaries.

"We have a tremendous opportunity to leverage technologies not just inside PEO LMW, but across Systems Commands. I've challenged my team to look outside the bounds of its own office," explained Landay.

Maritime Surveillance Systems brings technical expertise in long-range, active capabilities to the Mission Module Program Office and Maritime Surveillance Systems team, and has proven that capability in the tactical environment. The team will be working closely with industry and the naval warfare centers in concept development and implementation.

An off-board transmitter with multiple off-board receivers is the vision for LCS, within the scope of today's technology. This off-board transmitter could be leveraged by a host of other receivers in a multi-static mode - surface combatants, submarines, ADS and bottom-moored distributed systems.

"An off-board, long range active capability will help to turn the tide in undersea dominance," said Landay.