MUSV shifts to advanced development

The Navy transferred administrative control of the trimaran Sea Hunter - an experimental prototype medium unmanned surface vehicle that helped launch plans for a fleet of medium and large USVs – in December from the Office of Naval Research to Surface Development Command One. The move paves the way for the new San Diego-based command to begin in earnest figuring out how the Navy will integrate medium and large USVs into the fleet. A memorandum of agreement calls for SURFDEVRON ONE, created last May, to take responsibility for a second Sea Hunter later in 2020. The second vessel is currently under construction by prime contractor Leidos. It is being built in Gulfport, Miss., said Leidos spokesperson Suzzanna Martinez. The transfer of assets is a milestone in the formation of SURFDEVRON ONE, which was created to support fleet experimentation with medium and large unmanned surface vehicles and to accelerate the delivery of new war-fighting concepts and capabilities. "We've got three lines of effort that we're going to use for Sea Hunter," said Capt. Henry Adams, SURFDEVRON One commodore, and further noting that each line of effort reflects a broader objective in the command's mission. "We recognize that we need to begin introducing the idea of unmanned systems operating with the fleet - now," Adams said. In fall 2019, the Navy solicited design proposals for a "high-endurance, reconfigurable" large USV. The service is currently evaluating proposals for conceptual design awards in 2023. Similarly, the service last summer solicited medium USV proposals and is expected to award a single MUSV prototype this year. Both programs are expected to begin feeding USVs to the fleet toward the tail end of the current five-year defense plan. (Source: Inside Defense 01/03/20) https://insidedefense.com/daily-news/navy-shifts-sea-hunter-advance-usv-development-fleet-familiarization-conops