Sea Hunter adding to Miss. economy

GULFPORT, Miss. - For two South Mississippi companies, the future of unmanned surface vehicles (USV) is alive here at a United States Marine Inc. (USMI) plant. Sea Hunter II is a cutting-edge autonomous vessel designed by Leidos with national security in mind, said business area manager Bob McCummins. With autonomous vehicle operation becoming a higher priority for the military, Leidos works to get and keep the brightest minds by partnering universities across the south, including Mississippi State, USM, Ole Miss, LSU and University of South Alabama. Keeping a steady pipeline of work is key to USMI sustaining job growth in Mississippi. While Sea Hunter II is performing mission-critical tasks, it means growing the state’s economy through partnerships with the military and Port of Gulfport, said McCummins. Because of those relationships, sea trials for Sea Hunter II will take place in the Mississippi Sound as early as September. (Source: WLOX 02/227/20) https://www.wlox.com/2020/02/27/another-us-navy-asset-is-being-built-south-mississippi/