US Navy Preparing Future Generation USV Fleet
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The global demand for Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USVs) has been growing steadily. In marine environments, USVs are increasingly deployed to the missions that require a long patrol time in dangerous areas. It is advantageous to operate vessels without humans on board, as they can be manufactured at a considerably lower cost. Many states have started spending heavily in the development of USVs. Navies in countries like US, Singapore, Israel, UK, China and Russia are the top spenders in the USV sector, including recent procurements, according to reportsnreports.com.
Interested in learning more about advanced unmanned technologies? Attend the AUS&R Unmanned Systems and Robotics Conference and Exhibition on September 6, 2020
The US Naval Sea Systems Command USV Family of Systems (FoS) includes platforms and systems that comprise the Navy’s future unmanned surface fleet. The Navy has recently selected Kratos Defense & Security Solutions’ Unmanned Systems Division to participate in the Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite Quantity – Multiple Award Contract (IDIQ-MAC) to support its USV fleet.
Kratos joins some 40 other companies, including Boeing, Textron, Lockheed Martin, etc. that have been awarded the contract.
The Navy’s USV Platforms include the Mine Countermeasures USV and Minehunting USVs, experimentation platforms such as the Sea Hunter USV, as well as the Medium and Large USVs that will be part of the Future Surface Combatant Force concept. Current and planned systems include the Unmanned Influence Sweep System, surface towed sonar systems, and a mine neutralizing system that is still under development, along with their related subsystems and delivery systems, according to navsea.navy.mil.
With a contract ceiling for all orders under this IDIQ-MAC of $982.1 million, the US government intends to support, maintain and modernize USV systems and subsystems to meet current and future operational requirements for Unmanned Maritime Systems under Program Executive Office Unmanned and Small Combatants, according to Kratos announcement.
Attend the AUS&R Unmanned Systems and Robotics Conference and Exhibition on September 6, 2020
