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Both systems will be examined using the COMBATSS-21 combat management
system integrated with the Israeli Navy Command and Control
(IC2) system and various weapon systems such as MK 41 Vertical
Launch System (VLS), Typhoon gun and Barak
8 missiles. Cost and high level integration requirements
for multiple Israeli and U.S. sensor and weapon systems will
also be examined.
Lockheed Martin received an initial contract from the Israeli
Navy in February 2006 to perform a feasibility study for a multi-mission
LCS variant. The study, successfully completed in April 2007,
resulted in the Israeli Defense Forces' (IDF) decision
to approve initial funding for two multi- mission ships
currently based on an LCS-I design that would include anti-air,
anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-missile warfare missions,
as well as special operations. Lockheed Martin is currently
partnered with Rafael Armament Systems, Elbit Systems and Ness
on LCS-I.
"The feasibility study successfully validated the capability
of the Lockheed Martin LCS design to support the Israeli Navy's
multi-mission requirements. LCS-I will provide the Israeli Defense
Force a strategic asset, fully interoperable with the U.S. Navy,
to support both asymmetric warfare and broader national security
roles," said Joshua Shani, vice president of Lockheed Martin
Israel Operations. "Lockheed Martin will continue to work
closely with the Israeli Navy, the U.S. Navy and Israeli industry
during the combat system configuration phase."
The Israeli LCS variant will be based on the Freedom class
designed by Lockheed Martin for the US Navy. The ship uses a
semi-planing steel monohull, which provides optimal maneuverability
and seakeeping characteristics to support launch and recovery
operations, mission execution and optimum crew comfort. Utilizing
the flexible 'mission module' concept the LCS is designed as
a versatile multi-mission platform. The vessel's propulsion
system will be based on a combined diesel and gas turbine (CODAG)
with steerable waterjets. The vessel's weapon systems could
include the STANDARD Missile 2 or Barak 8 air defense missiles
used for the primary defensive weapon, Boeing Harpoon II or
IAI/Gabriel V used as the primary offensive weapons, and BAE
Systems' MK 32 surface vessel torpedo tubes (SVTT) , to be used
as a primary anti-submarine weapon, firing Mk 46 or Mk 50 torpedoes.
The first LCS built for the US Navy, LCS 1 Freedom is undergoing
outfitting and testing at Marinette Marine Corp. in Marinette,
WI. The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2008 and will be
stationed at the San Diego naval base. The US
Navy cancelled further acquisition of both Freedom class
LCS, as well as the competing Independence class, due to substantial
cost overruns incurred in the cost plus based program. Israel
and Saudi Arabia are two potential customers for the LCS design,
while the US Navy expressed its commitment to pursue further
LCS acquisitions, it remained illusive about the specific platform
and contractual tools to be pursued. The Navy wanted to move
the program from cost plus basis to fixed price, in an attempt
to control the escalating costs, blamed partially in a new design
oversight concept and frequently changing requirements made
by the Navy, which necessitated major changes late in the development
program. 
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