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Navy Conducts First Successful Structural Test Firing for LCS Gun

By on Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

DAHLGREN, Va: The first Littoral Combat Ship Surface Warfare (SUW) Gun Mission Module structural test firing on USS Freedom (LCS 1) was successfully conducted Sept. 22-25.

During this same period, Dahlgren engineers worked closely with the Sailors in Freedom's SUW Detachment to complete a Gun Mission Module End-to-End test event. Both tests were conducted during at-sea operations off of the Virginia coast.

The structural test firing validated both the Gun Mission Module and the ship's ability to withstand the intense stresses caused by repeated firing of the 30mm gun system. The End-to-End test validated the ability to coordinate gun targeting with LCS seaframe combat system.

Sailors assigned to the LCS Class Squadron's SUW Mission Package Detachment operated and maintained the 30mm gun modules during the test period. The SUW Mission Package detachment Sailors conducted SUW gun missions; validated operational and maintenance procedures; and collected technical performance measure data.

Different mission modules comprise the LCS mission packages, which are a combined set of remote sensors, precision weapons, software components and off-board vehicles packaged in a modular fashion to easily and quickly swap in and out of the LCS. Each mission package provides warfighting capabilities for a focused mission area. The SUW Mission Package is specifically designed to defeat fast in-shore attack craft.

Another major component of the SUW Mission Package, the NLOS-LS medium range surface to surface missile module, is scheduled to begin at-sea testing in 2012.

NSWC Dahlgren Division, a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), is the technical direction agent for the SUW Mission Package. Program Executive Officer Littoral and Mine Warfare (PEO LMW) is an affiliated PEO of the NAVSEA. PEO LMW designs, delivers and maintains the systems, equipment and weapons needed by the warfighter to dominate the littoral battle space and provide the warfighter assured access.

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