U.S. Navy Enhances LCS Surface Warfare Mission Package with New Counter-UAS Capability
On January 16, 2025, the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) announced a major upgrade to the air defense capabilities of U.S. Navy’s combat ships. The USS Indianapolis (LCS 17), a forward-deployed Freedom-class littoral combat ship (LCS), received critical enhancements to its Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) capabilities. In Fall 2024, the Navy upgraded both the software and hardware of the Surface-to-Surface Missile Module (SSMM) aboard the Indianapolis to bolster its defense against unmanned aerial threats. The importance of this capability has been highlighted by the U.S. Navy’s recent extensive engagements of Houthi one-way munitions and missiles.
The Surface-to-Surface Missile Module (SSMM) was originally made to target small boat threats with Longbow Hellfire missiles, but it also successfully carried out land attack tests in 2022. The addition of Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) capabilities shows the Navy’s dedication to adjusting to new threats in coastal areas.
As unmanned aerial systems (UAS) become more common on modern battlefields, the U.S. Navy has upgraded its ships to counter these threats. The USS Indianapolis is one of the first ships to integrate Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) technology. Drones, used for roles like surveillance, reconnaissance, and strikes, are a tough challenge for naval defense due to their low cost, mobility, and versatility. The C-UAS capabilities on the Indianapolis help it detect, track, and neutralize these aerial threats, improving its overall flexibility in operations.
Rear Admiral Kevin Smith, Program Executive Officer for Unmanned and Small Combatants, said that this upgrade gives the LCS advanced and flexible systems, like the Surface-to-Surface Missile Module, which helps the Navy stay agile and maintain control in challenging environments.
This development supports the Navy’s broader goal of integrating unmanned systems into its operations. In August 2024, the USS George H.W. Bush installed the first unmanned air warfare command center, which will control various drones, including the MQ-25A Stingray. This unmanned air-refueling tanker is scheduled for testing in spring 2025.
These upgrades are part of the U.S. Navy’s efforts to strengthen its lightly armed Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) in response to growing threats in the Atlantic, Red Sea, and Indo-Pacific regions. Other key upgrades include the Mk.70 Payload Delivery System, a containerized four-cell Mk.41 vertical launch system, which has been installed on the USS Nantucket (LCS-27) and the Independence-class USS Savannah (LCS 28).