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Motown LCS drops the Hellfires, um we mean SSMM

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In an effort to give the Littoral Combat Ships some teeth against small boat threats and swarm attacks by the same, USS Detroit (LCS 7) last week pulled off structural test firing of 3 missiles from the Surface to Surface Missile Module (SSMM).

SSMM, part of the LCS’s Surface Warfare Mission Package, utilizes a 24-pack of the Army’s AGM 114L-8A Longbow Hellfire, which is traditionally air launched from drones and Apache gunships, and instead vertical launches it from the naval vessel.

The test marked the first vertical missile launched from an LCS and the first launch of a missile from the SSMM while mounted to an LCS.

“This was another positive step forward in fielding of the next increment for the SUW MP,” stated Capt. Ted Zobel, Mission Modules program manager. “The SSMM is a critical piece of the SUW MP and this event will allow us to move safely into developmental testing and soon to fielding this capability aboard LCS.”

The full Surface Warfare Mission Package, which includes two Mk46 30mm guns in the Gun Mission Module and the Maritime Security Module (11m Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat for Visit Boarding Search and Seizure), will begin developmental testing aboard USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) later this year with IOC in 2018.

Navy gets in some Hellfire action

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Tests in adding a 24-pack of Hellfire missiles, guided by the Army’s Apache Longbow system, to thier LCS fleet seems to be moving forward rather well. Now don’t freak out, LCS is also supposed to get a real anti-shipping missile such as Harpoon or the really neat new Norwegian Naval Strike Missile (NSM) and the Hellfire is just supposed to batter small boat swarm attacks that are just aren’t worth wasting a 13 foot long over-the-horizon missile on. But we’ll see I guess

From the Navy’s presser

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.

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.