General Dynamics Team
Trimaran LCS Design
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The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is the U.S. Navy’s newest surface combatant class. Optimized for shallow seas and operations within 100 miles of shore, but deployable across the ocean, LCS ships are a centerpiece of the USA’s new focus on littoral warfare. They will help to counter growing “asymmetric” threats like coastal mines, quiet diesel submarines, global piracy, and terrorists on small fast attack boats. They will also perform intelligence gathering and scouting using helicopters and UAVs, offer some ground combat support capabilities, and share tactical information with other Navy aircraft, ships, submarines, and joint units. Swappable “mission modules,” UAV robot aircraft, and robotic UUV and USV vehicles will give these small ships the specialized capabilities they require for each of these roles – and the quick-replace adaptability they need to keep up.

At present, 2 teams are competing for the final LCS design. The General Dynamics team is offering a futuristic but practical high-speed trimaran based on Austal designs and experience. The Lockheed Martin team offers a high-speed semi-planing monohull based on Fincantieri designs that have set trans-Atlantic speed records. Team Lockheed’s efforts have run into serious trouble, including cancellation of the contract for their second ship. The General Dynamics/Austal team hit the same rocks soon afterward, in part because of the US Navy’s unusual proposal for future business arrangements.

DID places recent developments in context by explaining a bit more about the US Navy’s new surface combatant; detailing the teams, key time line events, and contract awards under the program to date; and providing additional resources and links to complete our in-depth coverage. New material appears in green type. The latest updates include the launch of Austal/GD’s LCS 2 Independence…

• LCS = Standard Equipment + Mission Modules
• LCS: Budgets and Program Structure
• LCS: Designs & Teams
• LCS Controversies
• LCS: Contracts & Key Events [updated]
• LCS Ancillaries: Mission Module & Weapon Contracts & Key Events
• Additional Readings & Sources
  
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From these…

At various times, DID has covered advance materials procurement and other contracts under the program to modify some of the USA’s nuclear-powered Ohio Class SSBN nuclear missile submarines to become long range conventional strike and special operations SSGN “Tactical Tridents.”

Four ultra-stealthy Ohio-class SSBNs are having their 24 Trident II D-5 nuclear ballistic missiles removed and replaced with up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles. The USA is also adding accommodation for 66-102 special forces troops, special attachments for new Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS) or older Seal Delivery Vehicle (SDV) “mini-subs,” and a mission control center. In future, the SSGNs may also carry UUV underwater robotic vehicles and even UAVs for aerial operations.

...to these
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These modifications provide the USA with an impressive and impressively flexible set of conventional firepower, in a survivable and virtually undetectable platform that can remain on station for very long periods.

DID has updated its previous material and discusses the origins of this conversion program, the key players, the timeline, and the key technologies involved. We also offer comprehensive coverage of the announced contracts under this $1.4 billion refurbishment and conversion program to date, including a number of related ancillary contracts and programs. This will remain the updated DID Focus article for all materials related to the SSGN program.

• The US Navy’s New SSGN Platform
• SSGN Conversions: Timelines & Program Contractors
• SSGN Tactical Trident: Contracts and Key Events
• SSGN Tactical Trident: Ancillary Programs
• Additional Readings
  
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Loading the UUV
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Unmanned Underwater Vehicles are becoming increasingly popular for a number of roles, including mine detection, advance scouting roles against enemy vessels, and basic hydrographic work. With nuclear submarines costing $2 billion and more per boat, an inexpensive surrogate that could handle some of the most dangerous jobs seems like an obvious addition – especially given the popularity of well-understood torpedo-like designs for key naval UUVs like Remus family, Bluefin-21 et. al.

Launching these UUVs is no challenge. Just build them to the 21-inch diameter limit and use the torpedo tubes. The thing is, submarines have a more restricted carrying capacity than most people think; even the US Virginia Class can carry only 26 total torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and torpedo-like UUVs. That makes one-shot UUVs unacceptably expensive. In order to be effective, submarines will have to do something not normally done with torpedoes – recover them at the end of their mission. Enter the Long-Term Mine Reconnaissance System (LMRS), now known as the AN/BLQ-11 UUV…

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If you want to keep track of key Pentagon programs, Selected Acquisition Reports are an important resource. Shortly after the defense budget is submitted, the Pentagon releases details on major defense acquisition program cost, schedule, and performance changes on a periodic basis, summarizing the latest estimates of a major program’s cost, schedule, and technical status. Quarterly SARs are submitted for initial reports, final reports, and for programs that are rebaselined at major milestone decisions. Subsequent quarterly exception reports are required only for those programs experiencing unit cost increases of at least 15%, or schedule delays of at least 6 months.

Total program cost estimates provided in the SARs include research and development, procurement, military construction, and acquisition-related operation and maintenance (except for pre-Milestone B programs which are development costs only). Total program costs reflect actual costs to date, as well as future anticipated costs, and include anticipated inflation allowances.

The November 2007 SAR is a mixed bag, as usual…

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Remus 600
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Hydroid, LLC at the has carved out a very strong position in the global market for unmanned anti-mine underwater vehicles. Its modular Remote Environmental Measuring Unit (REMUS) systems were developed at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and are already serving with Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, the US Navy, and the UK’s Royal Navy.

BAE Systems has been racing to catch up, rapidly developing their Talisman UUV using fast, iterative prototyping. The UK MoD continues to purchase Hydriod systems thus far, however, including a recent GBP 5.5 million (about $11.1 million) purchase of 2 complete Remus 600 systems for mine countermeasures work.

BAE’s Talisman
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The REMUS 600 vehicles will provide a detailed maritime survey and mine detection and classification capability in the 30m to 200m depth range, although the vehicle can operate down to 600m. It is fitted with a range of sensors and runs on re-chargeable batteries giving it an endurance of over 70 hours. The Remus 600 can be deployed from any vessel equipped with a one tonne crane or davit, and is intended to enter service in 2009. UK MoD release.

MH-60S w. AQS-20
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In a September 2005 article, DID referred in passing to several recent advances in US mine detection technologies, including a new AQS-20A mine detecting sonar array, and airborne laser systems mounted to MH-60S helicopters. All of this is in the service of the USA’s new naval emphasis on littoral warfare and accompanying doctrinal changes, which DID has also covered. So, what’s the AN/AQS-20? And how is it also related to a new US ship class, not to mention a new undersea robot?

The latest news involves reliability issues with the AQS-20’s mechanical mechanisms that have stopped its Operational Evaluation…

• The AN/AQS-20, AMCM, and Future Fleet Capabilities
• AQS-20 Contracts & Key Events
  
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DID covered evolving US anti-submarine warfare strategy back in 2005, including the growing importance of dealing with super-quiet diesel-electric submarines in shallow-water littorals.

In response, one of the early-stage Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) approaches involves thinking entirely outside the sonar box. We talk about “submariner dolphins” – but maybe the creature they really need to emulate is the shark. Now a recent contract indicates that the US military is making real progress toward that goal…

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Seaeye Cougar-XT
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Sweden’s Saab Underwater Systems makes UUVs like the Double Eagle, and has a special focus on littoral, shallow and difficult underwater environments due to Sweden’s underwater geography. Seaeye Marine, with approximately 50 employees and annual sales of approximately GBP 12 million (currently about $23.75 million), is located in Fareham, Hampshire on the south coast of England. The company develops and manufactures a range of electric powered remotely-operated underwater systems, and has become a leading supplier to the offshore oil and gas industry. The firm has expanded its vehicles’ capabilities of late to include the tasks like security, salvage and coastal observation.

The parties appear to think that the two are a good fit, as Saab just bought Seaeye Holdings Ltd. for GBP 13 million (currently about $25.7 million). Saab sees it as a way of strenthening their naval products portfolio with offerings that can serve both civilian and military markets. Seaeye CEO Chris Tarmey sees Saab as a way into maritime security and defense applications, and believes there may be technical synergies as well. Saab Release | Seaeye release.

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REMUS 100
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Hydroid, LLC in Pocasset, MA received a $26 million firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed fee, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for maintenance, repair, alterations and upgrades of the torpedo-shaped Remote Environmental Measuring Unit (REMUS) Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) system, as well as upkeep of documentation used with these UUV systems. This is most probably connected to the contract for the “Swordfish” mine counter measures variant of the two-man portable REMUS 100. Hydroid recently delivered its 100th REMUS 100 vehicle; naval customers include Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK’s Royal Navy. The USA used them during Operation Iraqi Freedom for mine clearing, and it is part of an emerging constellation of reconnaissance UUVs.

This contract includes services and supplies required for the operation and maintenance of UUV systems, including maintaining them in state-of-the-art configuration. The contract will also provide for procurement of up to 24 additional UUV replacement vehicles/ auxiliary support equipment, should UUVs be lost or damaged beyond repair. Work will be performed in Pocasset, MA and is expected to be complete by May 2012. The contract was not competitively procured by the Naval Sea Systems Command, Indian Head Division in Indian Head, MD (N00174-07-D-0001).

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Mk 30 Mod 2, pre-launch
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The Lockheed Martin Sippican/ Granite State Manufacturing Submarine Antenna Joint Venture in Marion, MA received an $8 million modification under previously awarded contract (N00024-05-C-6102), to exercise an option for production of the MK 30 Mod 2 Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Target System (ATS) along with associated proofing support material and replenishment spares. This procurement satisfies the FY 2007 undersea weapons requirement for production of 3 Target Undersea Vehicles and associated support services. Work will be performed in Marion, MA (57.7%, Sippican); and Manchester, NH (42.3%, Granite State), and is expected to be complete by July 2007. The Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, DC is the contracting activity.

The MK 30 Mod 2 ATS recoverable ASW target provides training services for submarine, surface ship and aircraft crews to employ their sensors and weapon systems in realistic and operationally representative situations. The ATS can be launched from a helicopter or surface ship, and simulates a submarine’s dynamics of speed, depth and maneuvers. Realistic signatures of passive and active acoustics and magnetic anomaly detection, along with tactics, can be preprogrammed into the TUV to increase realism and enhance training. The MK 30 Mod 2 ATS will replace the existing MK 30 Mod 1 system, and Lockheed Martin Sippican claims significant improvements in capability, reliability, maintainability/ availability, and affordability. See also the original contract win release from February 24, 2005.

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