US Navy’s unmanned surface fleet: US defence company L3Harris Technologies has won a contract from the US Navy for the Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MUSV) programme. This is US Navy’s first programme for an unmanned surface vehicle to support the Navy’s Distributed Maritime Operations strategy.
The $35 million initial award is part of a $281 million programme that includes a prototype and options for a total of nine MUSVs.
L3Harris will integrate the company’s ASView™ autonomy technology into a purpose-built 195-foot commercially derived vehicle from a facility along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana.
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The MUSV will provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to the fleet while maneuvering autonomously and complying with international Collision Regulations, even in operational environments.
“The MUSV programme award reinforces our investments in the unmanned market and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to bring mission-critical capabilities to our warfighters,” said Sean Stackley, President, Integrated Mission Systems of L3Harris.
Sean Stackley said L3Harris will continue to develop a full range of highly reliable and affordable autonomous maritime capabilities to enable distributed maritime operations in support of the National Defense Strategy.
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L3Harris will be the systems integrator and provide the mission autonomy and perception technology as the prime contractor on the programme.
The programme team includes Gibbs & Cox and Incat Crowther who will provide the ship design and Swiftships will complete the construction of the vehicle.
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L3Harris is a world leader in actively powered Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) systems, with over 115 USVs delivered worldwide.
L3Harris’ USVs are actively serving the Navy, universities, research institutions and commercial businesses.
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