Hellenic Navy to Acquire Lockheed Martin Surface Combatant Warships

Our Bureau
07:10 AM, March 13, 2021
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Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC) frigate

Lockheed Martin is set to manufacture eight Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC) frigates for the Hellenic Navy.

“We’re working to bring maritime capability to the Hellenic Navy and economic opportunity to Greece with the Multi-Mission Surface Combatant. This week our team visited Greek shipyards to discuss how we can partner to deliver this capability to Greece,” the company tweeted Friday.

MMSC is a variant of the U.S. Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). LCS has more than 600,000 nautical miles under the keel and plenty of deployments. All of the operational feedback from these deployments is rolled into MMSC. MMSC is also equipped with Aegis-derived Combat Management System, Cyber-hardened defenses, and engineering and propulsion control systems.

In a statement, Lockheed Martin said that MMSC ships could be produced in Greece. These warships are interoperable with MH-60R helicopters and modernized MEKO-class frigates.

“If a Navy needs more anti-air or anti-submarine capabilities, the ship’s design can be modified to meet those needs. It can truly be a custom ship for the Hellenic Navy. MMSC is capable of carrying weapons that will be a true game-changer for Greece. The U.S. Navy has already invested in significant capabilities for its fleet, and the Hellenic Navy will benefit from a variety of weapon systems and sensors already integrated into MMSC,” the statement read.

Previously, a Kathimerini report said that the contract would include the supply of four MMSC frigates, the upgrade of four MEKO-type frigates, intermediate solution ships and the participation of Greek shipyards in the development of the new American FFG(X) type frigate.

Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC) frigate

The MMSC is based on the U.S. Navy’s Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship’s 118 meter hull, and will utilize the same combined diesel and gas propulsion system. The vessel has a range of 5,000 nautical miles and can reach speeds in excess of 30 knots (34.5 mph). It utilizes the COMBATSS-21 Combat Management System, built from the Aegis Combat System Software library. The MMSC integrated combat system solution leverages the domestic LCS integration of the 57mm Mk110 deck gun and SeaRAM, and expands multi-mission capability through integration of Over-The-Horizon surface-to-surface missiles, port and starboard 20 mm remote guns, a new fire control radar and a forward centerline 8 cell MK 41 Vertical Launch System equipped with RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles. The MMSC is also equipped with the AN/SLQ-25 Torpedo Defense system.

According to the U.S. Navy, the planned next-generation FFG(X) frigate will have "multi-mission capability to conduct air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electronic warfare and information operations." The ship would have at least 32 vertical launching system cells and an AEGIS-based combat system.

Hellenic Navy to Acquire Lockheed Martin Surface Combatant Warships

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