Surface-to-surface missile tested by Navy from littoral combat ship
NewsJuly 29, 2019
POINT MUGU SEA RANGE, Calif. According to the Naval Sea Systems Command, a test-firing of a Longbow Hellfire surface-to-surface missile (SSM) module by an unnamed Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mission Modules program prompts further development tests.
The test firing was the first from an Independence-class LCS. Missile testing on the other LCS variant, the Freedom class, was completed earlier this year. The test firing of the SSMM allows the U.S. Navy to begin SSMM developmental testing aboard the trimaran-hulled Independence variant in August.
Littoral combat ships are designed for operation in near-shore environments but capable of open-ocean operation, handling threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines, and fast surface craft.
The vessels, which have a crew of 40, are smaller than the Navy's destroyers, amphibious assault ships, and aircraft carriers. In addition to missiles, they are equipped with an assortment of weapons, including 30 mm machine guns.
