By:
Thomas Cosgrove, International Business Development, Lockheed Martin
Maintaining security within the world’s waterways is critical
to global commerce and the safety of nations.
In congested littoral environments and in the open ocean, naval ships
with multi-mission capabilities operating alone or as part of a joint
task force offer the best protection against a variety of conventional
and asymmetric threats. These diverse threats include tactical aircraft,
submarines, and surface ships, as well as swarming fast attack boats,
mines, cruise missiles, and piracy.
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Using
its experience with the U.S. Navy’s littoral shipbuilding program,
Lockheed Martin’s Multi-mission Combat Ship (MCS) is a next generation,
multi-role combatant that addresses the maritime challenges facing today’s
navies. By its use of both dynamic hull design/performance and leading
edge technology to integrate system, sensor and weapons capabilities,
the multi-mission combat ship provides the necessary maritime security
and war fighting prowess.
As a fast, highly-maneuverable, low draft vessel that can execute missions
in the open seas and shallow waters, the ship provides a baseline hull
structure that suits many partner navy requirements. Current interest
in the hull lengths range from 85 meters to 118 meters and displacement
ranges from 1,600 tons to 3,500 tons. The ship’s hull form is
proven from 67 meters to 150 meters at various displacements.
With its hull design flexibility and open architecture combat management
system, the MCS aligns with many partner navies’ preference for
multi-mission, fixed combat systems with the flexibility to allocate
reconfigurable space for use with modular and unmanned systems.
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The
adaptable design of MCS allows for insertion of partner navy- designated,
fixed multi mission or modular systems, e.g., vertical launchers and/or
surface-to-surface missile canisters, without major structural impact.
It is also cost-effective to build, customize and maintain as it’s
based on a producible and affordable design that already meets U.S.
Navy standards.
The MCS is able to conduct naval maritime missions focused on increasing
global security, including surveillance and intelligence-gathering,
patrolling territorial waters, and enforcing economic exclusion zones.
The ship features endurance and habitability for extended operations.
Its large aviation flight deck and hangar for manned and unmanned platforms
supports dual air vehicle operations. Its waterborne mission zone with
a reconfigurable space supports safe and expedient launch and recovery
of multiple RHIB boat operations and unmanned vehicle use. This combination
of inherent capability is well-suited for supporting counterterrorism
activities, anti-piracy missions, special operations missions, maritime
interdiction, and humanitarian relief operations for military forces.
With its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability,
the ship can also share its data as part of a larger, national network
that maintains a common operational picture ashore. This naval ISR ability
strengthens the coordination of the nation’s operating forces.
Its command and decision system can integrate data from remote sensors,
linked helicopters, friendly naval vessels, and shore based command
centers. Although the sensor, weapon and operational capabilities of
a single ship are important, its ability to accurately and quickly share
information to make decisions is the best way to ensure success in modern
naval operations. It also will allow interoperability with U.S. and
allied naval forces in joint operations.
To deter and interdict when necessary, the MCS’ combat system
is scaled from Aegis open architecture. It is proved and in use globally
on more than 100 ships in six navies. With its battle-tested lineage,
the ships can be equipped to meet a variety of missions including anti-air,
mine countermeasures, anti-surface, anti-submarine and electronic warfare.
Configuring ships to meet customer navy requirements by tailoring systems
and automation with integrated sensors and weapons is an efficient way
to counter regional threats.
As naval forces worldwide look to the future, they see significant potential
for instability and dynamic challenges to sovereign maritime security,
including territorial boundaries and international commerce. Addressing
those threats – considering the cost of the ships, weapons systems,
technology and electronic systems – makes a forward-looking, multi-mission,
and flexible ship that much more important. That’s what the Lockheed
Martin Multi-mission Combat Ship (MCS) can bring to navies worldwide
– an effective solution to meet those challenges today, while
providing the capability for adaptation in the future.
Visit Lockheed Martin during LIMA'13 on stand A270. |
