Surface Mine Countermeasure UUV model unveiled
General Dynamics has announced that a quarter-scale model of the Surface Mine Countermeasure Knifefish Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (SMCM UUV) has been unveiled at the US Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space Exposition. Representatives from General Dynamics and the US Navy's Programme Executive Office, Littoral Combat Ships Unmanned Maritime Systems Programme Office revealed the system on 16 April, 2012.
The Knifefish UUV is a heavyweight-class, minehunting system designed for deployment by forward operating forces, and will be a part of the Littoral Combat Ship Mine Countermeasures Mission Package. It allow Navy commanders and sailors to detect and identify mines in high-clutter underwater environments without putting sailors in harm's way, including mines that are suspended in the ocean, resting on the sea floor or buried. Additionally, it will gather environmental data that can provide intelligence support for other mine warfare systems.
The UUV represents a ‘major step forward for unmanned undersea technology and will provide sailors with a reliable, safe, cost-efficient capability that is not currently a part of the Navy's portfolio’, according to General Dynamics.
Knifefish recently completed a successful system requirements review on schedule and will progress through the preliminary design review in May of this year. The system is expected to attain initial operational capability in 2017.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
Reamda upgrades Grasshopper UGV observation mast
Reamda, an Irish engineering company with a focus on UGVs and defence applications, delivered its Riddler platformed to the Irish Defence Forces last year.
-
Roke unveils new CUAS solution
The Roke Agile CUAS has been designed to provide protection for military and civilian situations, as well as to handle swarms of UAS by using a range of sensors.
-
Russia reaches new monthly record for Lancet use in Ukraine
The aggressor’s armed forces have adapted Lancet to Ukrainian conditions via iterative developments accompanied by a significant expansion in production capacity
-
India’s pursuit of UAVs fuels domestic innovation and industrial growth
In response to escalating border tensions and the need for enhanced surveillance capabilities, the Indian Army is ramping up its drone acquisitions, reflecting the growing importance of unmanned systems in modern defence strategies.
-
Australia to adopt new predatory OWL species
The Australian Defence Force will introduce the One-Way Loitering (OWL) platform by Innovaero, the country’s first long-range loitering munition, to enhance strike capabilities and understanding of loitering munitions.
-
Dedrone’s latest uncrewed solutions offers “complete CUAS DTI-M kill chain”
DedroneOnTheMove, which integrates advanced sensor-fusion and mitigation technologies, was showcased at Eurosatory 2024 and has been designed for deployment to enhance airspace security in high-risk environments.