Arming the LCS with Real Weapons

USNI News reports on the effort to arm the Littoral Combat Ship with something to fend off attacks by $500 boats armed with RPGs and such. VIDEO: Navy Tests Anti-Swarm Boat Missile on Littoral Combat Ship USS Detroit

The Navy conducted its first test of a short-range missile system designed to protect a Littoral Combat Ship against swarming threats, Naval Sea Systems Command announced on Tuesday. The Feb. 28 test, off of Norfolk, Va., tested the Surface-to-Surface Missile Module (SSMM) aboard the Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship USS Detroit (LCS-7), firing multiple Lockheed Martin AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire missiles.

The attached helicopter detachment is, in my opinion, still the main weapon system of the LCS.


I assume up-gunning the LCS involves major issues of weight and balance. We certainly don't need to add "tipsy" to the already unimpressive resume of the LCSs of either type.

I suppose the good thing about LCS speed is that Sir Robin would approve (no reflection the LCS crews, who I know are typically outstanding sailors driving a ship they didn't design):



I recall that at one time we followed a management guru who thought the main function of management was to make sure workers had the proper tools to do their job. Here area couple of his points:

3. Cease dependence on inspection to achieve quality. Eliminate the need for inspection on a mass basis by building quality into the product in the first place.
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7. . . The aim of supervision should be to help people and machines and gadgets to do a better job.