MUSV development continues for L3Harris
L3Harris is continuing engineering and technical support for the Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel programme in the US. (Photo: L3Harris)
The USN is continuing to fund the evolution of Medium Unmanned Surface Vessels.
L3Harris Technologies has obtained a $60.48 million contract modification from Naval Sea Systems Command for continued engineering and technical support on the USN Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MUSV) programme.
The DoD stated on 2 July that work will be performed in Morgan City, Louisiana (73%); Arlington, Virginia (10%); Jeanerette, Louisiana (8 percent); New Orleans, Louisiana (6%); Worthington, Ohio (2%); Lafayette, Louisiana (1%), and is expected to be completed by December 2022.
MUSVs in USN thinking are 45-190ft (13.7-57.9m) long, displacing about 500t. Like the planned Large Unmanned Surface Vessels (for which the DoD requests $149 million in development funds for FY2022), MUSVs must be low-cost, high-endurance, reconfigurable ships that can accommodate various payloads as a key element in future USN strategy.
The first MUSV prototype was funded in FY2019 and L3Harris received a $34.99 million contract in July 2020 to develop it, with options to procure up to eight additional vessels.
The USN wants to fund a second prototype in FY2023.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![RTX Raytheon targets nearly 170% RAM production increase to meet global demand]()
RTX Raytheon targets nearly 170% RAM production increase to meet global demand
The US multinational company is currently assembling 300 Rolling Airframe Missile rounds per year, with plans to reach 800 units annually after significant investment and modernisation of its facilities.
-
![Spain’s F100 upgrade mirrors Aegis modernisation paths in allied navies]()
Spain’s F100 upgrade mirrors Aegis modernisation paths in allied navies
The Spanish Navy’s Alvaro de Bazan-class of air defence frigates will receive the latest Aegis Weapon System technology among other modernisations to extend the service life to 2045.
-
![UK’s Fleet Solid Support ship programme deemed on track despite steel supply concerns]()
UK’s Fleet Solid Support ship programme deemed on track despite steel supply concerns
Shipbuilders are saying the programme is going ahead on time as the government estimates 7.7 million tonnes of steel are needed for 2026 infrastructure projects.
-
![Raytheon unveils details of its proposal for the US Navy/NATO ESSM Next Significant Variant]()
Raytheon unveils details of its proposal for the US Navy/NATO ESSM Next Significant Variant
In an exclusive interview with Shephard, Raytheon’s VP of Shipboard Missiles disclosed what improvements the company plans to offer for the Sea Sparrow NSV.
