The U.S. Navy is actively exploring the integration of the Mk 70 Payload Delivery System (PDS) onto its Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), a move that signals a significant enhancement in the offensive capabilities of these vessels. The Mk 70 system, a substantial 40-foot container housing four strike-length Mk 41 vertical launching system (VLS) cells, is designed to bring a robust “offensive capability” to the fleet’s more lightly armed LCS platforms.
This revelation was brought to light by Capt. Matthew Lehmann, program manager for LCS Mission Modules (PMS 420) at Naval Sea Systems Command. During the Surface Navy Association 2025 symposium, Capt. Lehmann characterized the installation of this containerized missile system on USS Nantucket (LCS-27) as a deliberate “surprise” and a powerful demonstration of the “intense modularity” achievable on LCS vessels. He emphasized the adaptable nature of these ships, highlighting their capacity to rapidly integrate and deploy new capabilities.
Mk 70 PDS: A Leap in LCS Firepower
The Mk 70 PDS is engineered to support advanced missiles such as the SM-6 and Tomahawk cruise missiles. This compatibility is transformative, enabling LCS vessels to engage both land and maritime targets at extended ranges – up to 450 kilometers for SM-6 and an impressive 1600 kilometers for Tomahawk. The introduction of the Mk 70 PDS effectively equips both Independence and Freedom-class LCS variants with a substantial new strike capability, addressing previous concerns about their limited offensive firepower.
Notably, a land-based iteration of the Mk 70 PDS, known as Typhon or Mid-Range Capability, has been operationally deployed by the U.S. Army since 2023. This ground-based system has garnered attention, particularly from Beijing, due to its deployment in Northern Luzon, placing Tomahawk missiles within striking distance of mainland China. Lockheed Martin, the system’s developer, underscores the strategic advantages of the Mk 70, stating in product materials that its “dynamic missile and combat system alignment allows for a rapidly relocatable platform, increasing survivability while intensifying adversary uncertainty.”
Strategic Context and Future Implications of Mk 70
The announcement of the Mk 70 deployment aligns with the recent declaration that “LCS is back,” made by former Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro at the USNI’s Washington Defense Forum. Del Toro specifically cited the integration of the Mk 70 on Nantucket and its planned deployment on other LCS in the future as evidence of the platform’s revitalized role. He affirmed that “Eventually, many will receive the Mk 70 Payload Delivery System with vertical launch system technology,” signaling a broader commitment to enhancing LCS capabilities through modular upgrades.
However, the concept has faced skepticism, particularly from Chinese state media. Publications have voiced doubts regarding the practicality of deploying such systems on LCS, citing historical challenges associated with the class and questioning “the feasibility of effectively launching so many missiles” from these platforms.
While the installation of Mk 70 systems may present some operational trade-offs, such as potentially impacting helicopter operations, the firepower enhancement is undeniable. Lockheed Martin suggests that the Freedom-class LCS variant could accommodate up to 12 missiles, distributed across three Mk 70 containers positioned on its flight deck. This significant missile capacity underscores the strategic shift towards prioritizing lethality and survivability for the LCS. Paul Lemmo, Vice President and General Manager Integrated Warfare Systems & Sensors at Lockheed Martin, emphasized this focus in an interview with Naval News, stating that the goal is to equip LCS with “different kinds of capability that we can put on the ship to basically give it some firepower.”
The Mk 70 PDS joined the suite of planned firepower upgrades for LCS in 2023, following a demonstration where an SM-6 missile was launched from the system deployed on the flight deck of USS Savannah (LCS 28). Originally designed for lower-tier threats, the Independence and Freedom-class LCS variants have faced criticism for perceived shortcomings in firepower and self-defense capabilities against near-peer adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran. Compared to similarly sized vessels operated by other nations, the armament disparities have been evident. In response, the U.S. Navy has been proactively integrating Naval Strike Missiles to augment the class’ surface warfare capabilities, which were previously primarily reliant on cannons and short-range Hellfire missiles. Furthermore, the Navy has also unveiled efforts to equip LCS with anti-drone capabilities by repurposing Surface-to-Surface Missile Module missiles, as announced at Surface Navy Association 2025, further illustrating the ongoing evolution and adaptation of the LCS platform to meet contemporary naval challenges.
