A systems approach to architecting a mission package for LCS support of amphibious operations

Abstract

The United States Navy andMarine Corps have identified capability gaps in the areas of collecting Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (ISR&T) data and employing fires during amphibious operations. The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) presents an opportunity to deploy specific mission capabilities in the amphibious theater. This paper identifies the operational, functional, and physical architecture of an LCS Amphibious Warfare Mission Package (LAMP) necessary to provide capabilities associated with ISR&T data collect and fires employment. Physical architecture configurations are evaluated using a discrete-event model. Cost estimates for each alternative are presented in order to identify the LAMP architecture that provides the most cost-effective solution for providing capabilities associated with ISR&T data collection and fires employment. This paper concludes by identifying potential LAMP assets that would provide cost-effective support of amphibious operations. Four feasible alternatives are ultimately identified as cost-effective solutions, with LCCEs ranging from $105.49M and $188.22M and providing varying levels of effectiveness in terms of average engagement time and percentage of threats successfully affected.