Babcock wins ten-year Queen Elizabeth-class dry dock contract
The first activity in a dry-dock contract for the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers is scheduled for 2023.
The USN evaluated in-port launch and recovery of the UISS USV during integration testing with the LCS vessel USS Independence in San Diego. (Photo: USN)
Textron Systems has received another contract modification from the USN to support the Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS) USV and towed sensor payload, which is a mine countermeasures (MCM) component of the USN Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme.
The DoD announced on 18 February that Textron would perform ‘engineering and technical support’, and provide incidental materials in aid of UISS.
Work on the $41.7 million contract from Naval Sea Systems Command is expected to be completed by April 2023.
UISS forms part of the LCS MCM Package, which uses a system-of-systems approach to target specific portions of the water column and segments of the MCM detect-to-engage sequence.
Textron is set to complete work on the previous contract modification in March 2022.
The first activity in a dry-dock contract for the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers is scheduled for 2023.
The Spanish Navy support vessel Reina Isabel returned to its homeport on 13 May after a mission to deliver arms, ammunition and Ukraine — although Kyiv did not receive everything it expected.
Work on the future SSN(R), the replacement for the Astute-class submarines, continues to progress as planned.
Although lagging behind the utilisation of UAVs, militaries are now exploring new applications for and types of UUVs and USVs. Australia is no exception.
Three industry contenders have emerged for the Australian navy's quest for a new unmanned MCM system.
Under contract from BAE Systems Australia, Raytheon Anschütz will initially deliver design engineering and requirements verification for installation of its WINBS navigation and bridge technology aboard the RAN’s future Hunter-class frigates.