BAE to provide communications, gun systems for US Navy's LCSs

ARLINGTON (BNS): British defence firm BAE Systems will provide the external communications and primary gun systems for the 10 littoral combat ships (LCS) to be built by Austal USA for the US Navy.

A subcontractor to General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems which has been awarded a contract from Austal to be the Platform Systems Engineering Agent for the new class of ships, BAE Systems will design, install, integrate and test various communications systems for the LCSs.

The equipments include radio and antenna systems, baseband switching systems and associated cabinets, and other types of specialised equipment and hardware, the company said.

Since 2004, BAE Systems has been a major partner with General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems for communications systems on the first two littoral combat ships: the USS Independence (LCS 2) and Coronado (LCS 4).

The US Navy has awarded a fixed-price incentive contract to Austal for the design and construction of 10 littoral combat ships from fiscal 2010 through fiscal 2015.

The new generation warships will be designed to carry out a range of operations in shallow waters close to shore.