The US Navy’s littoral combat ship (LCS) remote minehunting system (RMS) has successfully completed developmental testing (DT).
During the testing, RMS validated its capability in various operations including the mission cycle, from pre-launch mission planning and vehicle readiness checks, to operations in a simulated mine-field and post-mission data analysis.
The ability of sailors to operate the system through various phases of an RMS mission has also been assessed while meeting all the test objectives.
The developmental testing aimed to demonstrate the reliability, suitability and effectiveness of the RMS, which comprises the remote multi-mission vehicle (RMMV) and the towed AN/AQS-20A variable depth sonar.
Deployed on the LCS as a component of the US Navy’s LCS mine countermeasures (MCM) mission package (MP), the RMS can detect, classify, identify and locate bottom mines.
RMS programme manager, Steve Lose, said that the at-sea test milestone demonstrates the RMS reliability growth programme success.
"The system’s performance during the DT gives me confidence we are ready to proceed to the operational assessment phase," Lose said.
Led by the Naval Surface Warfare Center-Panama City with LCS squadron one, detachment three sailors participating, the trials were conducted off the coast of Palm Beach, Florida, US.
In January 2014, the RMS is scheduled to undergo system operational assessment, led by the Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force in the same location.
Following completion of RMS support to the developmental testing for the complete LCS MCM MP in summer 2014, the MCM MP will undergo initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) in 2015, the US Navy’s final step to achieve MCM MP initial operational capability.
