(03-03-2022 10:16 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(03-03-2022 08:53 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  Im guessing (and thats all it is) that the Navy has got at least two of the modules to work properly as they intend to put the NSM launchers on 31 of the LCS's. Then 15 of those will be fitted with the anti-mine module while 15 others will get the anti-submarine module. Supposedly---this will all be done over the next 18 months (meaning it should be halfway done as the article is from almost a year ago).
https://breakingdefense.com/2021/04/navy...bat-ships/

At this point, the USN is just doing anything it can to justify an incredible waste of money. The problem with the approach you are suggesting is that the anti-mine and anti-submarine modules don't work.

To be clear, its not my plan. It was apparently the current Navy plan presented to Congress last April. Thats why I was "guessing" they must have at least those two modules working. Otherwise---how could they possibly suggest they would have it installed in all 31 vessels within just 18 months?

That said, as a tax payer---it would not hurt my feelings if they figured out a way to get something out of them. My preferred "plan" would be to install at least 8 VLS cells on them so they at least have some reasonable ability to defend themselves. With 8 cells, they could have 16 ESSM's and still have 4 cells left for Tomahawks or additional ESSM's. That, plus the 8 NSM would at least give them some fairly dangerous striking capability along with a mid-range anti-air bubble to augment their close in protective systems. I'd also like to see them get "smart shells" for their main gun and some sort of long range highly capable VTOL autonomous drone like the Bell 247. Thirty LCS's with those features--given their speed (assuming the engine fix is legit)---could be very useful in an battlefield environment where satellite info is the first casualty (better than the useless nothings they are now).

WASHINGTON: The Navy plans to put its new Naval Strike Missile on 31 of its 35 Littoral Combat ships over the next 18 months, while outfitting 15 ships with an anti-submarine module, and 15 others with anti-mine capabilities.

That breakneck pace of the proposed LCS upgrades is the clearest sign yet of the Navy’s concern over its being outgunned by the Chinese surface navy, and the premium being placed on keeping eye on new generations of capable Chinese and Russian submarines prowling below.

The new details were offered by Adm. Mike Gilday in testimony before the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, representing his most ambitious public comments concerning the LCS fleet to date.