Austal-built LCS fires 3 Hellfires

The USS Montgomery (LCS-8), an Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship built at Austal USA's shipyard in Mobile, Ala., launched three Longbow Hellfire missiles in the Pacific Ocean that hit a land-based target for the first time during a proof-of-concept exercise May 12, the Navy announced in a media release.  The AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire missiles have a range of about five miles and make up the LCS' surface-to-surface mission module, one of the three original components of its mission package. “This test proved the critical next step in increasing lethality of the Littoral Combat Ship,” ship's captain, Cmdr. Dustin Lonero, said in the news release. “Using our speed and shallow draft, we are now uniquely optimized to bring this level of firepower extremely close to shore in support of our warfighters and operators on the beach.” The Navy wrapped up the structural testing required to ensure the LCS could fire the Hellfire missiles in 2019. The missile plays a "key role in the up-gunned surface warfare mission package,” the Navy said. Originally fielded by both variants of LCS in 2019, the missile has "demonstrated the capability to quickly defeat multiple swarming Fast Attack Craft/Fast Inshore Attack Craft." Each LCS is capable carrying twenty-four missiles. (Source: USNI 05/16/22) VIDEO: LCS USS Montgomery Fires Hellfire Missiles in Land Attack Test - USNI News