The US Navy has completed an at-sea demonstration of the Greenough Advanced Rescue Craft (GARC) and Towed Airborne Lift of Naval Systems (TALONS) for the littoral combat ship program.
According to an announcement from November 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.
The week-long demonstration was completed on October 6.
Developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), TALONS is a parasail towed behind boats or ships. The system can carry intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and communications payloads of up to 150 pounds between 500 and 1,500 feet in altitude, many times higher than current ships’ masts, and greatly extend the equipment’s range and effectiveness.
GARC is an optionally-manned high-performance rescue vessel.
“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.”
