Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)

The Littoral Combat Ship LCS will be optimized for flexibility in the littorals as a system of systems that is both manned and unmanned, mission reconfigurable, and deployed in LCS. It will focus on three primary anti-access mission areas Littoral Surface Warfare operations emphasizing prosecution of small boats, mine warfare, and littoral anti-submarine warfare. Its high speed and ability to operate at economical loiter speeds will enable fast and calculated responses to small boat threats, mine laying and quiet diesel submarines. LCS employment of networked sensors for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance in support of Special Operations Forces will directly enhance littoral mobility. Its shallow draft will allow easier excursion into shallower areas for both mine countermeasures and small boat prosecution. Using LCS against these asymmetric threats will enable Joint Commanders to concentrate multi-mission combatants on primary missions such as precision strike, battle group escort and theater air defense.