The Navy's new $440-million Littoral Combat Ship needs some help taking care of itself. The LCS is said to be vulnerable to incoming strikes, meaning it might not survive a shootout with, say, China.
Thankfully the ship may get two new life-saving escorts.
First, DARPA wants to boost the Independence-class LCS drone capability to host a 27-foot wingspan Predator-like UAV. Previously it could only launch and receive a modest tactical drone like the ScanEagle. The new TERN program calls for a drone that can be ship-launched and recovered, while also carrying a 600-pound payload up to a 900-mile radius from the ship.
Second, the LCS is getting a new robotic surface based mine hunter called the Unmanned Influence Sweep System.
All the LCS needs now is a sub-hunting guide to help it avoid another underwater threat, and it just so happens DARAPA's lining one of those up as well. The ACTUV sub-tracking drone is taking shape at SAIC, but no word yet on where it will be assigned once it's ready for deployment.
Initiated 10 years ago, the LCS will eventually make up 1/5 on the Navy's 313-ship plan
In addition to a normal compliment of weapons and sensors, the LCSnow has this remote surface mine detector assigned to it as well
Now the Pentagon wants a bigger, badder drone presence with the ship as well. Here's an artist's concept from DARPA.
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