$700M MCM drone orders risk

The Navy halted the awarding of a $700M contract to Lockheed Martin for a second batch of 18 Remote Multi-Mission Vehicles to “address existing” deficiencies and to pursue more promising technologies to bolster current mine-hunting capabilities for its Littoral Combat Ships. Mine-countermeasures (MCM) is one of three warfare mission packages for LCS. Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City, Fla., has assisted in development and testing of the MCM packaging for LCS. The alternative technologies may include General Dynamics’ Knifefish unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) – at least through 2019. Bluefin Robotics, a leading provider of UUV solutions, developed Knifefish at its Panama City facility. NSWC Panama City is the contracting activity for the General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems program. The $700M order was to be part of an $868M program for 54 of the Remote Multi-Mission Vehicles. The Navy has spent $109M to date on eight drones, and had planned to issue a $400M pact in February for an additional 18 until the Navy decision on Feb. 26. (Source: Bloomberg News 02/29/16)