LCS mine-killing drone prototype

The Navy is building a 40-foot-long unmanned surface vehicle designed to launch from a Littoral Combat Ship to detonate and destroy underwater mines while keeping ships and sailors at safe distances. The first prototype, scheduled to be finished by 2016, will pave the way for initial production of the Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS), according to Capt. David Honabach, program manager of unmanned maritime systems. The Navy hopes to have the UISS in the fleet by 2019. (Source: Defense Tech, 11/04/14) Gulf Coast Shipbuilding Note: Navy officials tested a prototype of UISS in October 2011 at NSWC Panama City, Fla.