UUV partnership includes NW Fla.

Unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) might mean big business for shipbuilders if the technology lives up to its billing. It’s way too soon to gauge the size of the future UUV market, and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) market may not be a good comparison. Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) is taking the lead in the Navy’s quest to field UUVs. One of Navy’s first lines is aimed at fielding a robotic submarine they call the Extra Large UUV (XL-UUV) program. HII and Boeing are teaming up on the project. HII expects UUVs to be a mainstay of the Navy’s fleet; and are positioning to be a major player, according to Mike Petters, CEO and president of HII. It’s been HII’s strategic emphasis over the last four years to figure out how to get in on the front end of the UUV market. (The Buzz 08/05/17) The HII-Boeing partnership will use HII’s design and production facilities in Huntington Beach, Calif.; Newport News, Va.; and Panama City, Fla.