1억 달러 정도의 비용으로 중소형 조선소에서도 건조 가능한 유인 소형 수상함 건조를 제안하네요. DARPA의 Sea Hunter 개념안 이후로 LMACC (Lightly Manned Automated Combat Capability)라는 이름으로 예비설계가 진행된 함정이 있다고 합니다.
미해군 장교들이 십 년 이상을 복무해야 지휘관 경험을 얻을 수 있는데, 이런 소형수상함을 건조해 경력 초기에 지휘경험을 쌓을 수 있는 것도 장점 중 하나로 언급하네요.
미해군대학원에 올라온 자료를 보니 LRASM(!), SeaRAM, 재블린 미사일, 105mm 야포, Spike NLOS 대함미사일등으로 무장하네요.
It is Time to Build Small Warships | Center for International Maritime Security
Notes to the New Administration
It is Time to Build Small Warships
February 3, 2025 Guest Author 2 Comments
Notes to the New Administration Week
By Shelley Gallup and Ben DiDonato
In past wars, small and well-armed ships have been a necessary complement to the large, multipurpose ships that dominate today’s U.S. Navy. China on the other hand utilizes a full range of maritime capabilities to outmaneuver the U.S. fleet. These ships can easily overwhelm the navies of smaller nations, like the Philippines, creating an unsustainable demand signal for support from large U.S. ships.
Scholars and engineers at the Naval Postgraduate School have developed a bi-modal fleet concept featuring a mix of small sea denial and large sea control vessels to correct this weakness. The key to implementing this strategy is the LMACC, or Lightly Manned Automated Combat Capability. This small warship combines autonomy, AI, resilient communications, and passive cloud-based sensor fusion to fight inside the Chinese engagement envelope. It is intended to operate within a scalable, networked flotilla alongside a variety of unmanned systems as well as Marines ashore. This will extend their Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) doctrine into a more lethal and agile combined arms force able to overcome China’s capabilities. Furthermore, the features that make LMACC ideal for supporting Marines deep inside the first island chain also allow it to take on lower-intensity missions, such as special operations support and maritime patrol, making it an ideal choice for supporting President Trump’s stated goal of countering the cartels in the Gulf.
Unlike truly unmanned vessels, LMACC can be built today to affordably grow the fleet. It consists almost entirely of fielded systems and most preliminary design work is already done. Pre-covid estimates put the series production cost at about $100 million and its small size allows it to be built in struggling shipyards too small to build current warships. Furthermore, the human crew eliminates the legal and technological risks of unmanned systems. They can override the AI whenever needed and repair equipment that breaks down unexpectedly, building more confidence into these systems and informing future designs.
A depiction of the LMACC vessel. (LMACC program graphic)
LMACC will also serve a critical function in developing future leaders. In today’s destroyer-centric surface fleet, platform command opportunities are mostly only available after more than a decade of service. LMACC is intended as an O-3 command, affording naval officers an opportunity to command earlier in their careers and develop critical leadership skills, including initiative, adaptability, and tactical acumen. Autonomous systems will become increasingly important, but cultivating command skillsets earlier in careers is a key benefit that smaller platforms bring to fleets.
Small warships have a long history in the U.S. Navy and are poised to offer an evolutionary leap in capability. Small, highly automated, lightly crewed, blue water warships will help offset the capabilities of competing fleets and ensure enduring maritime superiority for the U.S. Navy. It is time to fund and build a prototype of the LMACC and its flotilla of innovations.
Dr. Shelley Gallup is a retired surface warfare officer. As an Associate Research Professor at the Naval Postgraduate School, Dr. Gallup has spent 25 years assisting the Navy in developing large-scale experiments at sea. His current work includes research in human-machine partnerships, the role of emergence in combat at sea, and leads the small warship LMACC project at NPS. He can be contacted at spgallup@nps.edu.
Ben DiDonato is a volunteer member of the LMACC team. He is responsible for LMACC’s armament and most engineering work. He has provided systems and mechanical engineering support to organizations across the defense industry from the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) to Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, working on projects for all branches of the armed forces. He currently serves as vice president of technology for Expanse Laboratories Corporation, a startup developing novel physical encryption technology. He can be contacted at benjamin.didonato@nps.edu.
Featured Image: LMACC design screenshot courtesy of Ben DiDonato.
Welcome - LMACC - Naval Postgraduate School
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첫댓글 승조원 28명이면 20명 이하였던 2차대전 때의 어뢰정보다는 조금 많네요.
윤영하급 승조원이 40명 정도인데 인원이 모자란다는 얘기가 들리는 것 같은데, 저런 무장들을 다 갖춰놓고 28명으로 운용이 가능할지 궁금하긴 하네요.