LCS Mission Module Program Office Completes At-Sea Demonstration of GARC/TALONS System
By Program Executive Office Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC) Public Affairs
| Nov. 25, 2019
The Towed Airborne Lift of Naval Systems (TALONS) is a parafoil-based system shown kiting from the Greenough Advanced Rescue Craft. TALONS relays data between the MCM USV and the LCS via the government-developed multi-vehicle communication relays system. (Photo by U.S. Navy/RELEASED)
The Greenough Advanced Rescue Craft (GARC) is an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) that deploys a parafoil-based system that relays data between the Mine Countermeasures USV and the littoral combat ship. (Photo by U.S. Navy/RELEASED)
PANAMA CITY, Fla. – The Navy completed a demonstration of the Greenough Advanced Rescue Craft (GARC) and Towed Airborne Lift of Naval Systems (TALONS), the service announced Nov. 25.
The GARC/TALONS prototype is being evaluated to provide enhanced communication ranges for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mine Countermeasure (MCM) Mission Package that could reduce the time to clear a minefield.
“This achievement marks an important landmark in the potential acquisition of an enhanced communication range solution for the Navy,” said Capt. Godfrey Weekes, LCS Mission Module program manager. “From concept to at-sea demonstration within 10 months is quite remarkable and is in alignment with senior Navy direction toward rapid acquisition.”
Program Executive Office Unmanned and Small Combatants’ LCS Mission Module Program Office worked with the Naval Information Warfare Center, Atlantic to utilize an Other Transactional Authority to competitively award a contract to develop, build, integrate and demonstrate the prototype. The week-long demonstration was completed Oct. 6.
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