The US Navy has awarded a contract to Northrop Grumman for the delivery of two additional littoral combat ship (LCS) mission packages.

As part of the $21.6m agreement, the company will be responsible for the provision of a mission package for surface warfare and one for mine countermeasures.

Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems electronic attack / maritime systems integration programmes director Doug Shaffer said: "As the mission package integrator for LCS, we are committed to meeting the demanding requirements of our warfighters, while providing supplier base stability and reducing cost to the navy.

"Northrop is currently working on a fourth mine countermeasures mission module."

"As more littoral combat ships enter service, the US Navy / Northrop Grumman team has stepped up to make sure the mission modules are available when needed to achieve initial operational capability."

Capabilities within the mission modules will support the three LCS primary missions, including surface warfare, mine countermeasures and anti-submarine warfare.

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The packages will enable efficient modular mission package embarkation, operations at sea, and debarkation / logistics support.

Northrop is currently working on a fourth mine countermeasures mission module that is scheduled for delivery this year.

The company has also started production on its fourth and fifth surface warfare mission modules, with their delivery also expected this year.

Final integration work and deliveries are completed at Northrop’s Mission Package Support Facility at Naval Base Ventura County, California, US.