LCS Mission Modules

The LCS Mission Modules Common Equipment consists of the development and integration of vital C5I products required by all Mission Packages to provide common hardware interfaces, computer operating environment, communications systems, aviation interface systems, UxV interfaces and portable development & integration test-sets. Common hardware interfaces include definition, installation, and control of mechanical, electrical, and cooling requirements common to all mission packages. The Mission Package Computing Environment (MPCE) provides common services and Operating Environment to support all Mission Package Application Software (MPAS) and Open Architecture Products. The Multi-Mission Software Architecture (MMSA) will provide a framework that enables hybrid mission packages such as combining Mine Countermeasures (MCM) with the Surface-to-Surface Missile Module (SSMM) to operate concurrently without mission package swaps, improving cyber survivability and providing common control for unmanned systems. The Multi-Vehicle Communications System (MVCS) enables the control and data exchange of simultaneous unmanned mission vehicles and the ship. Aviation interface systems include integration and management of data communications, data processing, and physical hardware interfaces such as common equipment and containers used by all mission packages. Development and integration test-sets provide a mobile operating environment installed in the Mission Package Portable Control Stations (MPPCSs) to serve as a surrogate ship during mission package development and integration test events at test ranges. MPCE 2.X baseline was split to support the evolution of different versions of the LCS, MPCE v2.0 for LCS Lethality and Survivability and MPCE v2.1 for non-Lethality and Survivability hulls.

The MCM Mission Package (MP) employs an incremental development approach to deliver capability which allows the continued insertion of mature capabilities throughout the life of the program without the need for modifications to the seaframes. Future MCM MP capabilities will be considered when joint warfighting objectives or changing threats create new operational capability requirements that cannot be met by current mission package designs, or when new technological opportunities allow significant progress toward delivering cost effective enhanced capabilities. Future mission module increments can be tested, constructed, and incorporated into existing mission packages, one of the most important benefits of LCS modular design. MCM MP successfully completed IOT&E in Q4FY22 and achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) on 31MAR 2023. MCM MPs were deployed to C5F in Q2FY5 The MCM MP will counter deep, shallow, and tethered mines in the littorals without putting sailors in the minefield. When the MCM MP is embarked, LCS is capable of conducting detect-to-engage operations (hunting, sweeping, and neutralization) against very shallow to deep-water sea mine threats. The MCM MP provides these capabilities through the use of sensors and weapons deployed from an MH-60S multi-mission helicopter, unmanned offboard vehicles, and support equipment/containers. MCM MP has a portable command and control station allowing operations from Vessel of Opportunity (VOO) or shore. The MCM MP consists of the following modules: - Unmanned Minesweeping (UMS) Module: Unmanned Influence Sweeping System (UISS) (USV + Minesweeping Payload Delivery System (PDS)) - Airborne Mine Neutralization (AMN) Module: Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS) + MH-60S helicopter - Near Surface Detection (NSD) Module: Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) + MH-60S helicopter - Remote Minehunting (RMH) Module: Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) + Minehunting PDS + Minehunting Sonar - Near-surface Mine Neutralization (NSN) Module: Barracuda (Barracuda Neutralizer + USV + Mine Neutralization PDS) The program is also investigating implementation of deep mine neutralization and alternative mine hunting sonars in support of force generation.