MCM production decisions in ’18

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Navy has scheduled three mine countermeasures (MCM) systems for developmental tests (DT), and two for operational assessments (OA) this year. ‘Milestone C’ production decisions of the two are expected before the end of FY 2018, according to Rear Adm. John P. Neagley, program executive officer for Littoral Combat Ships. Neagley credited much of the alignment progress with the unmanned system to the Navy’s unmanned surface and underwater programs and their relationships with the fleet. The three MCM warfare systems are designed for deployment with LCS. The Knifefish underwater utility vehicle will commence DT/OA in February with the Milestone C decision(s) scheduled for the third quarter of FY-18. The Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS) - developed by Textron and in builder’s trials - is a mine-sweeping magnetic and acoustic system towed by a Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle. UISS is scheduled to go through DT/OA in the spring with a Milestone C decision scheduled for the fourth quarter. Raytheon will deliver 10 AQS-20C mine-hunting sonars to the Navy in the spring, with DT scheduled for the third quarter. (Source: Seapower Magazine 02/06/18) Gulf Coast Note: Textron and Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City, Fla., have been working on the LCS mine-countermeasures warfare package for years.