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LCS MPCE Early Integration Evaluation Completed

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080425-33
Release Date: 4/25/2008 3:40:00 PM

From Littoral and Mine Warfare Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy has begun the process of integrating the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mission Package Computing Environment (MPCE) into both LCS versions under construction, with the first successful integration evaluation on LCS 1 Freedom, in Marinette Marine Shipyard in Marinetee, Wisc., April 8-9.

MPCE early integration evaluation on LCS 2 Independence was successfully conducted Feb. 11-15, at the Austal Shipyard in Mobile, Ala. MPCE early integration is the beginning phase of ensuring the LCS mission package software integrates properly with the ship's combat systems.

"Prior to the MPCE early integration evaluation on LCS 1 and 2 we had to rely on land based test facilities to test the mission package software," said Capt. Michael Good, LCS Mission Modules program manager, program executive officer for Littoral and Mine Warfare (PEO LMW). "Now we can actually test on the ship to ensure the successful hardware and software integration between the mission modules and the sea frame."

LCS will utilize focused mission packages that leverage unmanned systems and new technology for three focused mission areas: mine counter measures (MCM), surface warfare (SUW) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW). The mission packages are composed of individual mission modules, which utilize a host of systems including manned and unmanned vehicles, sensors and weapons which require a significant amount of computer software to operate. Furthermore, the LCS MPCE is utilizing open architecture software in line with the Navy's open architecture initiative.

"This milestone brings us one step closer to the completion of mission package hardware and software integration prior to the delivery of the sea frame," said Good.

The MCM mission package software was tested recently at the General Dynamics (GD) Distributed Integration Facility Laboratory in Pittsfield, Mass., Feb. 19-29. The MCM software image from the Mission Package Development Laboratory (MPDL) at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division, Fla., was successfully loaded into the GD Combat Management System (CMS) at the Distributed Integration Facility Laboratory using the tools and procedures to be employed on the seaframes. His test successfully demonstrated the interface between the CMS and the MCM Mission Package Application Software (MPAS).

A similar test of the MCM software image was conducted March 17-28, at Lockheed Martin's Mission Systems Integration Center Laboratory in Moorestown, N.J. This test successfully demonstrated the interface between Lockheed Martin's CMS and the MCM MPAS.

This series of successful tests has continued the process of validating that the LCS Mission Modules software will successfully integrate with the LCS Total Ship Computing Environment and the CMS.

For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navsea/.