US Navy successfully tests modified Longbow Hellfire missiles for use on LCS
| |
|||||
| a | |||||
Focus
- US Navy tests Longbow Hellfire missiles |
|||||
| US
Navy successfully tests modified Longbow Hellfire missiles for use on
LCS |
|||||
Engineering
development tests of modified Longbow Hellfire missiles for use on littoral
combat ships (LCS) were successfully conducted in June the US Navy reported
July 30. Integration of the Longbow Hellfire missile system, designated
the Surface-to-Surface Missile Module (SSMM), will increase the lethality
of the Navy's fleet of littoral combat ships. The SSMM is expected to
be fully integrated and ready to deploy on LCS missions in late 2017.
|
|||||
"This
test was very successful and overall represents a big step forward in
SSMM development for LCS," said Capt. Casey Moton, LCS Mission
Modules program manager.
Termed Guided Test Vehicle-1, the event was designed to specifically test the Longbow Hellfire launcher, the missile, and its seeker versus high speed maneuvering surface targets (HSMSTs). The HSMSTs served as surrogates for fast inshore attack craft that are a potential threat to Navy ships worldwide. During the mid-June tests off the coast of Virginia, the modified Longbow Hellfire missiles successfully destroyed a series of maneuvering small boat targets. The system "hit" seven of eight targets engaged, with the lone miss attributed to a target issue not related to the missile's capability. The shots were launched from the Navy's research vessel Relentless. The test scenarios included hitting targets at both maximum and minimum missile ranges. After a stationary target was engaged, subsequent targets, conducting serpentine maneuvers were engaged. The tests culminated in a three-target "raid" scenario. During this scenario all missiles from a three-shot "ripple fire" response struck their individual targets. |
|||||
 Three missiles from a ripple fire response strike their moving targets during an engineering development tests of modified Longbow Hellfire missiles. The missile system, designated the Surface-to-Surface Missile Module (SSMM), is expected to be fully integrated on Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) in late 2017, increasing the lethality of the Navy's LCS fleet (U.S. Navy photo/Released) |
|||||
Integration
of the "fire-and-forget" Longbow Hellfire missile on LCS represents
the next evolution in capability being developed for inclusion in the
Increment 3 version of the surface warfare mission package for LCS.
When fully integrated and tested, each 24-shot missile module will bring
added firepower to complement the LCS's existing 57mm gun, SEARAM missiles
and armed MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter.
LCS
is a modular, reconfigurable ship, with three types of mission packages
including surface warfare, mine countermeasures, and anti-submarine
warfare. The Program Executive Office Littoral Combat Ships (PEO LCS)
is responsible for delivering and sustaining littoral mission capabilities
to the fleet. Delivering high-quality warfighting assets while balancing
affordability and capability is key to supporting the nation's maritime
strategy. |
|||||
US
Navy video of LCS SSMM in action
|
|||||
