Independence-variant littoral fight ship USS Montgomery (LCS 8) fired three AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire missiles to strike a land-based goal a number of nautical miles away as a part of the LCS surface-to-surface mission module (SSMM).
“This check proved the essential subsequent step in growing lethality of the Littoral Fight Ship,” stated Cmdr. Dustin Lonero, Montgomery’s commanding officer. “Utilizing our pace and shallow draft, we are actually uniquely optimized to deliver this stage of firepower extraordinarily near shore in assist of our warfighters and operators on the seaside.”
The Longbow Hellfire missile already performs a key position within the up-gunned floor warfare mission bundle. Initially fielded by each variants of the littoral fight ship in 2019, the missile has repeatedly demonstrated the aptitude rapidly defeat a number of swarming Quick Assault Craft/Quick Inshore Assault Craft (FAC/FIAC). Every LCS is succesful carrying twenty-four missiles.
“The SSMM is a basic cornerstone of LCS lethality and evolving functionality to supply enhanced fireplace assist within the littorals and over the horizon in assist of the Navy and Marine Corps preventing drive,” stated Lt. Michael Jones, a warfare ways instructors from Floor and Mine Warfare Growth Middle. “The brand new means for LCS to conduct maritime strikes bolsters the ships position in conducting shaping operations inside amphibious and expeditionary warfare areas.”
The Longbow Hellfire missile was commissioned in 1998, and has confirmed profitable over its years of service throughout all U.S. navy branches. Initially designed as an anti-tank weapon for the U.S. Army, its all-weather millimeter-wave sensing, semi-active laser steering continues to show extraordinarily efficient within the maritime area in opposition to all method of threats.
“When you take a confirmed program of file and adapt its functionality for the maritime warfare atmosphere, you will have a win for the taxpayer, improved interoperability between varied providers, and an elevated lethality and aggressive edge at sea,” stated Chief Gunner’s Mate David Wynne, Montgomery’s weapons chief petty officer.
Combining rising applied sciences, an MQ-8C Hearth Scout unmanned helicopter, from Helicopter Sea Fight Squadron (HSC) 23, remained airborne offering superior focusing on and bomb hit evaluation functionality. The Hearth Scout already offers littoral fight ships an over the horizon intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and focusing on functionality.
The LCS is a quick, agile, mission-focused platform designed to function in near-shore environments, profitable in opposition to Twenty first-century coastal threats. The LCS is able to supporting ahead presence, maritime safety, sea management, and deterrence.
