USS Coronado Fires Kongsberg-Designed Missile

PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 23, 2014) A Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM) is launched from the littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) during missile testing operations off the coast of Southern California. The missile scored a direct hit on a mobile ship target. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zachary D. Bell/Released)

There have been many articles published over the past few years criticizing the combat effectiveness of the Littoral Combat Ships built by both Austal and Lockheed Martin. Of particular concern is the lack of heavy weaponry aboard these ships.

In a recent test, the Austal-built littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) was outfitted with the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile system and given the opportunity to show its flexibility and lethality as a naval surface warfare platform.

On 23 September, the following video was taken of the ship conducting a missile shoot against a “Mobile Ship Target.”

The Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile is currently installed aboard Norwegian Nansen-class frigates and Skjold Class missile torpedo boats, and the Polish Coastal Missile Division. The video below shows what happens when this missile hits a real target.