US Navy commits to uncrewed surface vessel future, but plans are far from firm
The LUSV Ranger transits the Pacific Ocean to participate in Exercise RIMPAC 2022. (Photo: USN)
The US Navy is committing $2.2 billion in funding to uncrewed surface vessel (USV) programmes but the future of the Medium USV class remains uncertain.
The USN is pressing ahead with plans to develop large USVs armed with long-range missiles after recently completing a Congressionally mandated review of alternatives, committing $2.2 billion of near-term spending for this this new ship class.
Earlier this summer, the navy completed an analysis of alternatives required by law that helped refine the requirement but also effectively slowed the project.
'The navy completed the Offensive Surface Fires Analysis of Alternatives on June 10, 2022, analysing multiple modified and new naval and commercial vessel designs,' USN spokesperson Lt Katie Diener told Shephard. 'The navy is working closely with industry partners
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Royal Navy to receive DragonFire laser system]()
Royal Navy to receive DragonFire laser system
The UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) made the decision to accelerate the laser programme from the demonstrational stage to an operational laser weapon.
-
![Royal Navy’s new Dreadnought SSBNs to be equipped with OSI’s ECPINS]()
Royal Navy’s new Dreadnought SSBNs to be equipped with OSI’s ECPINS
The contracts between OSI Maritime Systems (OSI) and BAE Systems Submarines will encompass continued support for the Astute-class nuclear-powered submarines (SSN) and the future Dreadnought-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBN).
-
![Frigate or corvette? The new surface combatant expanding Sweden’s strategic horizons]()
Frigate or corvette? The new surface combatant expanding Sweden’s strategic horizons
With the new Luleå-class vessel, the Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN) will have a class of modern capital ship that could provide a wide range of naval capabilities that it has not had before, contributing to the shaping of Sweden’s role in NATO and allowing it to perform new missions.
-
![Northrop Grumman unveils Manta Ray UUV]()
Northrop Grumman unveils Manta Ray UUV
The uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) prototype was built through a programme by the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) and assembled in Northrop Grumman’s Annapolis facility.
