BAE Systems Is A Major Component Of The General Dynamics Team For The U.S. Navy's Littoral Combat Ship Final Design Award
The General Dynamics team proposal features an innovative trimaran hull that enables the ship to reach sustainable speeds of nearly 50 knots and range as far as 10,000 nautical miles with an unmatched interior volume and payload. The ship is designed to allow a crew of fewer than 40 sailors to fully operate, maintain, and defend it. The General Dynamics team design will provide the Navy with the capability to defeat swarm boats, mines, diesel submarines and multiple other missions.
Two teams, the General Dynamics team and one other, were selected from a field of three to proceed into this stage of development for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). Those three teams had previously been down-selected from a field of six.
In addition to BAE Systems, the General Dynamics team includes Austal, USA and Austal, Australia; CAE of Canada; Maritime Applied Physics Corporation of Annapolis, Md; and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems of Baltimore, Md.
BAE Systems Technology Solutions is leading the global company effort on the program, working with multiple business units within the U.S. and U.K. BAE Systems will leverage its broad C4ISR and naval platform experience to enhance the General Dynamics team's Trimaran concept. BAE Systems primary responsibilities include the seaframe Mission Package Integration and design of the entire communication suite. Work will be performed primarily by employees in the company's Surface Warfare and Electronic Systems business units, located in Silver Spring and California, Md, respectively. Additionally, BAE Systems Information & Electronic Warfare Systems in Nashua, N.H., and BAE Systems Naval Ships in Filton, U.K. will fill key roles in the program.
"This program is perfectly matched to the capabilities that BAE Systems can leverage from its worldwide reach and expertise in support of the General Dynamics team," said Robert Murphy, president, BAE Systems Technology Solutions.
Key characteristics of the ship proposed by the General Dynamics team include:
- Capable of supporting several missions simultaneously.
- Open-architecture information systems enable over-the-horizon surveillance and reconnaissance, global networking and coordinated air, surface and undersea tactical picture.
- Incorporation of stealth technologies increases ship and crew survivability.
- Shallow draft allows operations near the shore.
- More payload per ton of displacement than any previous U.S. warship.
- Huge interior volume delivers enhanced mission capabilities and endurance.
- Supports concurrent and simultaneous operation of two large (H-60) helicopters.
The flexibility, speed, endurance, volume, seakeeping, payload capacity, and maneuvering characteristics of the trimaran concept, coupled with modular mission packages and other modifications to address military-specific requirements, provide an optimal solution for the Navy's LCS requirements.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defense and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years. It is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defense systems.
BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company employs more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of more than $20 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.
BAE Systems North America is a high-technology U.S. company employing more than 25,000 people who live and work in some 30 states, the District of Columbia, and the United Kingdom. The company is dedicated to solving its customers' needs with highly innovative and leading edge solutions across the defense electronics, systems, information technology, and services arenas.
BAE Systems Technology Solutions Sector provides a full-spectrum of systems engineering, technical services, and ordnance systems to its customers in disciplines essential for successful systems development, operating, and maintenance. Its full life-cycle systems capabilities include system design, integration and test; software development, engineering, and maintenance; and integrated logistics support.
Source: BAE Systems