The installation and launch of the OTH system on USS Fitzgerald were achieved under a compressed nine-month timeline, a stark contrast to the usual two-year process for such installations. This ambitious timeline was met through the collaborative efforts of nearly 20 organisations, including the Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS), Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) at China Lake, General Dynamics Mission Systems, and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS.
With the OTH system now in place, the USS Fitzgerald joined RIMPAC’s Sinking Exercise (SINKEX), which took place off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii. During the exercise, the NSM was launched from the destroyer, successfully detecting, targeting, and striking a decommissioned amphibious vessel. This achievement showcased the NSM’s capability to enhance the Navy’s long-range surface-to-surface warfare and further solidified its potential for deployment across more vessels.
The installation of the OTH system was facilitated by classifying it as a temporary alteration on the USS Fitzgerald, allowing for expedited approval and reduced documentation requirements. However, the team at NSWC PHD is working to gain indefinite approval for the weapon system on the destroyer, with plans for broader deployment across the fleet to improve response capabilities.
Training was a crucial component of the project, with NSWC PHD personnel working alongside the crew of the USS Fitzgerald to operate and test the system while at sea. Following the successful launch, the Navy now anticipates incorporating the OTH system across additional vessels, particularly as it has already outfitted about a dozen Independence-variant littoral combat ships with the NSM in recent years.
Eric Romero, customer advocate for OTH at NSWC PHD, emphasised the significance of this accomplishment, labelling it a “high-visibility requirement” for the Navy. The demonstration has underscored the importance of modernising surface combat capabilities, marking a transformative moment for the U.S. Navy as it expands its reach in over-the-horizon warfare.
Source: U.S. Pacific Fleet.