USN chooses contractor support for MK18 UUV upgrades
Upgrades for the MK18 family of UUV systems operated by the USN are being supported by California-based Areté Associates, under a $9.75 million integration services contract announced by the DoD on 24 August.
Work under the 17-month contract from the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, scheduled for completion by 23 January 2022, includes incremental upgrades, block upgrades and future generations of the MK18 family, additional UUVs and ROVs.
Based on the Remus 600 design, the MK18 is a highly configurable vehicle with a maximum operating depth of 600m.
Deployable from vessels as small as an 11m RIB and with a maximum mission duration of 24 hours, the UUV can be outfitted with a broad range of sensors to meet the requirements of missions including MCM, hydrographic survey, area search plus surveillance and reconnaissance.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
-
Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
-
AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.
-
DroneShield to improve software of DroneSentry-X C-UAS system under new contract
DroneSentry-X, a cross-vehicle compatible, automated 360° C-UAS detect and defeat device, can offer 360° awareness and protection using integrated sensors. According to its manufacturer, it is suitable for mobile operations, on-site surveillance and on-the-move missions.
-
Ukraine takes delivery of new indigenous C-UAS systems
Funded by the country’s former president, the new C-UAS systems will be sent to the frontline where they have already been tested against Russian invading forces.