Sailors attached to USS Forth Worth (LCS 3) at a test event for the DART mission system at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce, Florida. Credit: U.S. Navy.

The US Navy has accepted the delivery of Raytheon-developed dual-mode array transmitter (DART) mission system and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission package.

DART forms the last piece of the littoral combat ship (LCS) ASW mission package, which is designed to boost ASW capabilities within the service.

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The DART and ASW mission package will provide the sailors with the ability to manoeuvre active and passive sonars above and below the thermocline layer.

LCS Mission Module programme manager captain Ted Zobel said: “The DART mission system is an essential component of the LCS ASW package, and when coupled with the SQQ-89 acoustic processing, the multi-function towed array and MH-60R helicopter, makes up an ASW MP that will provide revolutionary capabilities to the fleet.”

Prior to its delivery, the final component successfully completed rigorous acceptance test regime at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.

“LCS Sailors have participated in major testing and evaluation events throughout the development of the DART system.”

The DART mission system testing and evaluating saw the participation of crew from USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) Gold Crew, Detachments one and two.

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Senior chief sonar technician (SW) Joseph Hart said: “LCS Sailors have participated in major testing and evaluation events throughout the development of the DART system.

“Raytheon’s willingness to accept sailor input as far as what the final production unit should look like and how it should operate has been exceptional, and has allowed the fleet testing team to ensure the DART system and the full extent of its capabilities will be effectively employed by future LCS crews.”

The system is expected to soon undergo an in-water demonstration of the LCS ASW Mission Package’s Escort Mission Module at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center.

Following this demonstration, the US Navy will conduct a formal developmental testing of the system on USS Fort Worth.

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