Navy Littoral Ship USS Nantucket fitted with Naval Strike Missile joins fleet with Boston ceremony.

According to information published by the US DoD on November 16, 2024, the U.S. Navy officially commissioned the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Nantucket (LCS 27) in a ceremony held in Boston, Massachusetts.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS Nantucket. (Picture source: US DoD)

Integrating the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) onto the USS Nantucket would significantly enhance its operational capabilities, aligning the Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) with modern naval warfare demands. The NSM, a precision-guided, over-the-horizon strike weapon, offers a substantial increase in lethality, providing both anti-ship and land-attack functionality. This integration would transform the USS Nantucket into a more versatile platform capable of operating effectively in both littoral and open-water scenarios.

The USS Nantucket is already designed with modularity in mind, facilitating the addition of advanced systems like the NSM. Its lightweight, deck-mounted launcher system is compatible with the LCS design, requiring minimal structural modifications. The ship's COMBATSS-21 combat management system, derived from the Aegis framework, can be adapted to integrate NSM targeting and launch controls. Furthermore, the missile's low power requirements ensure compatibility with the LCS’s existing electrical infrastructure.

Operationally, the NSM's range, exceeding 100 nautical miles, far surpasses the existing armaments of the Freedom-class. Its advanced infrared seeker allows precise targeting in cluttered environments, enhancing survivability in contested zones. The stealthy, sea-skimming flight profile reduces detectability, making it an ideal weapon for missions in areas with dense electronic countermeasures or advanced radar systems. The missile’s ability to engage land-based targets further broadens the USS Nantucket’s tactical roles, making it a valuable asset in littoral strike and support operations.

Despite these advantages, challenges must be addressed. Retrofitting the LCS with NSMs will require investment in crew training, spare parts, and software updates. Budget constraints and the maintenance history of the Freedom-class pose additional hurdles. However, these challenges are outweighed by the strategic benefits. The NSM represents a substantial upgrade over legacy systems like the Harpoon, providing the USS Nantucket with the tools needed to counter modern threats effectively.

Given the increasing complexity of maritime operations and the rising capabilities of potential adversaries, equipping the USS Nantucket with the NSM aligns with the U.S. Navy’s distributed lethality doctrine. This upgrade would ensure the ship remains relevant in high-threat environments, capable of projecting power and deterring aggression in contested waters. Prioritizing the integration of the NSM is a critical step in maintaining the Freedom-class LCS fleet's operational effectiveness.