LCS MCM mission package makes deployment debut in Bahrain

USS Canberra deployed to Bahrain to conduct counter-mine operations. (Chris Sattler)

Littoral combat ship (LCS) USS Canberra (LCS 30) arrived at Naval Support Activity Bahrain on 22 May – the first LCS to deploy with the mine-countermeasures (MCM) mission package (MP) as well as the first Independence variant of the LCS to be deployed to the region.

Canberra, on its maiden deployment, is the first of four of the class expected to be deployed in the region.

The MCM MP is an integrated suite of unmanned maritime systems and sensors. It is designed to locate, identify, and destroy mines while increasing the ship's stand-off distance from the threat.

The MP includes an MCM unmanned surface vehicle (USV), an MH-60S multimission helicopter, and associated support equipment.

For more information about recent USV and MCM developments, please see Surface Navy 2025: Textron, Brunswick debut Tsunami USV family .

The MCM MP achieved initial operational capability (IOC) on 31 March 2023, following initial operational testing and evaluation (IOT&E) of the full MP, including the AN/AQS-20 system, during the fall of 2022 aboard USS Cincinnati (LCS 20).

The US Navy (USN) embarked the first MCM MP aboard Canberra on 18 April 2024.

The LCS is expected to replace the Avenger-class MCM ships, which have operated forward in the region for decades.

The USN's 30-year shipbuilding plan – released earlier this year – called for dismantling four Avengers in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and another four in FY 2027, with each ship surpassing its 30-year service life.