The Littoral Combat Ship mine countermeasures mission package has achieved initial operational capability, clearing the way for the Navy to field the new suite of unmanned MCM capabilities designed to keep sailors out of harm's way. According to a Tuesday announcement , the IOC decision encompasses the entire MCM mission package, including the AN/AQS-20 Sonar Mine Detection system -- a set of sensors towed behind the MCM Unmanned Surface Vehicle to locate mines. Independence-class LCS variants will serve as ‘motherships’...
