Littoral Combat Ship test-fires SM-6 from containerized launcher

The Navy successfully launched a Standard Missile-6 from Littoral Combat Ship Savannah (LCS-28) using a “containerized launching system” during a Tuesday demonstration in the Eastern Pacific, according to a Navy announcement.

The test demonstrates the utility of the LCS class for surface warfare and is a promising sign for the Navy’s efforts to develop containerized weapon systems that can be installed on LCSs and other surface ships, according to the sea service.

“The exercise demonstrated the modularity and lethality of Littoral Combat Ships and the ability to successfully integrate a containerized weapons system to engage a surface target,” the announcement states.

“The exercise will inform continued testing, evaluation and integration of containerized weapons systems on afloat platforms,” it continues.

Savannah is an Independence-class LCS, delivered to the Navy in 2021 and commissioned in February 2022. The vessel is not among the seven LCSs the Navy has marked for decommissioning over the next five years.

In September, Inside Defense reported the Navy plans to equip all remaining LCSs with the Naval Strike Missile by fiscal year 2032 in an effort to expand the vessels’ offensive strike capabilities and enhance their contribution to the surface fleet.