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The US Naval Air Systems Command, Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD) has placed orders with Cubic Defense Systems to develop hands-on training devices, desktop trainers and simulators for each variant of the Littoral Combat Ship’s (LCS) mission bays.
Under the $112m contract, Cubic will provide training solutions for the preparation, launch, handling, recovery and securing of the ships mission equipment.
The LCS class ships, which are being developed in two variants the Freedom variant and the Independence variant, employ modular mission packages that can be configured for surfaces warfare, mine countermeasures or anti-submarine warfare.
Cubic Defense Systems president Dave Schmitz said: "Combined with three recent contract awards to develop and deliver game-based courseware for both variants of the Littoral Combat Ship and their mission bay, our virtual trainers provide the navy with the key tools necessary to deliver the full scope of foundational training for the crew of the LCS ships."
Capable of operating in near-shore environments, the LCS is used counter growing potential ‘asymmetric’ threats of coastal mines and quiet diesel submarines.
Lockheed Martin leads the Freedom variant team while the Independence variant team is being led by General Dynamics and Bath Iron Works.
The ships are armed with BAE Systems Land and Armaments mk110 57mm naval gun system to fire mk295 ammunition at a rate of 220 rounds a minute to a range of 14km.
The Littoral Combat Ship training programmes will be conducted in company’s facility in Orlando, Florida, US.
The virtual training solutions will be deployed at LCS training facilities in San Diego, California and Mayport, Florida, US.
Image: USS Freedom (LCS 1) arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a scheduled port visit. Photo: courtesy of US Navy.
