The Dahlgren Division of the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWCDD) has awarded General Dynamics Mission Systems a $40.3 million contract for its role as the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Independence-class software support agent (SSA). The contract also covers NSWCDD’s functions as the in-service engineering agent (ISEA) and its handling of the combat management system (CMS) for the LCS. Work for the contract will be performed in Pittsfield, MA, facility and will be completed in 2024 if all options are exercised.
General Dynamics, as prime contractor for the U.S. Navy, will be responsible for extended support and resolution of technical issues pertaining to the Independence-variant LCS combat system software suite (as identified by NSWCDD. The contract includes support for the Integrated Combat Management System (ICMS) core software suite and software interfaces to sensors, weapons, and communication systems. The NSWCDD software suite is the CMS for the LCS and supports currently installed components. It will also monitor the ongoing performance of those components and provide follow-on maintenance and operational support. The ISEAs function as first responders for any requirements, performing testing as needed, identifying problems, and recommending solutions.
“General Dynamics Mission Systems is proud to have been selected by the U.S. Navy for this important contract,” said Carlo Zaffanella, vice president and general manager, Maritime and Strategic Systems at General Dynamics Mission Systems. “Our experts have spent many years bringing LCS’ current mission systems to life. Additionally, our open, flexible computing architecture is very capable of supporting the maintenance and in-service operation of our mission systems. Our team recognizes the increasingly critical role LCS plays in the US Navy’s littoral battlespace, and the essential part LCS plays in defeating anti-access and asymmetric threats in the littorals. This support contract will help enable LCS to successfully achieve its missions, today and in the future.”