US Navy’s LCS USS Indianapolis receives C-UAS capability

The US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship Mission Modules program office has delivered new counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) capabilities to the forward-deployed Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Indianapolis (LCS 17).

In autumn 2024, the US Navy made significant upgrades to both the software and hardware of the surface-to-surface missile module (SSMM), to enhance the USS Indianapolis’s defense capabilities while deployed.

USS Indianapolis was commissioned in October 2019 at a ceremony in Burns Harbor, Indiana.

According to the navy, these improvements bolster the ship’s ability to address a wider array of threats, reinforcing its defense posture in complex operational environments.

The rapid deployment of C-UAS capabilities “highlights the SSMM’s adaptability, proving its effectiveness against various threats, including surface, land, and aerial challenges”.

Originally designed to extend the LCS’ capacity to engage small boat threats using vertically launched Longbow Hellfire (LBHF) missiles, the SSMM has evolved well beyond its initial scope. It is now part of the LCS Surface Warfare (SUW) Mission Package (MP), which includes three key mission modules. Over time, the SSMM has demonstrated its versatility by successfully countering a range of threats.

Notably, in 2022, a modified version of the SSMM showcased its expanded capabilities during a land attack demonstration, marking a key milestone in the system’s development. This demonstrated the SSMM’s ability to engage land-based targets, further underscoring its role in providing multi-domain defense and contributing to the LCS’s overall mission effectiveness.

“Recent events in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AoR) underscore the importance of equipping our warships with up-to-date C-UAS systems to keep emerging threats at bay,” said Capt. Matthew Lehmann, program manager of the LCS Mission Modules (PMS 420) program office. 

“By leveraging the adaptability of proven technologies in partnership with the Integrated Warfare Systems 80 program office, we were able to deliver on a critical need to the Fleet. This accomplishment showcases the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Littoral Combat Ship Mission Module Program.”

“This rapid integration of C-UAS capabilities enhances our ability to project power and maintain freedom of maneuver in contested environments,” said Rear. Adm. Kevin Smith, Program Executive Officer, Unmanned and Small Combatants.

“By equipping LCS with advanced, flexible systems like the SSMM, we are not only addressing immediate threats but also strengthening the Navy’s overall strategy for operational agility, deterrence and sustained dominance in littoral regions.”

LCS is designed to complete close-to-shore missions and is a growing and relevant part of the US Navy’s fleet. The vessels can be modified to integrate capabilities including over-the-horizon missiles, advanced electronic warfare systems and decoys, with 40 percent of its hull easily reconfigurable. Able to reach a speed of more than 40 knots, LCS is equipped with rolling airframe missiles (RAM) and a Mark 110 gun, capable of firing 220 rounds per minute.

The LCS class consists of two variants, the Freedom variant and the Independence variant, designed and built by two industry teams. The Freedom variant team is led by Lockheed Martin and the Independence variant team by Austal USA.