Huntington Ingalls, Lockheed Martin Contracted to Conduct Research into Unmanned Surface Vessels

Huntington Ingalls and Lockheed Martin have been contracted by the U.S. The Naval Sea Systems Command to continue study into Unmanned Surface Vessels.

Huntington Ingalls has been awarded a $ 13 million firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-20-C-6319 for continued studies of a large unmanned surface vessel. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and is expected to be completed by September 2024. If all options are exercised, work will continue through September 2024.

Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $11 million firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-20-C-6320 for continued studies of a large unmanned surface vessel. Work will be performed in Moorestown New Jersey, and is expected to be completed by September 2024.

In 2020, the U.S had contracted 6 companies for large unmanned surface vessel study work in contracts totaling nearly $42 million. Each contract includes an option for engineering support that if exercised would bring the cumulative value for all awards to $59.5 million.

“These studies contracts will allow the Navy to harvest the learning from our land- and sea-based prototyping efforts and work directly with industry to refine the requirements for an affordable, reliable, and effective Large Unmanned Surface Vessel and reduce risk for a future design and construction competition,” Naval news quoted Capt. Pete Small, program manager, Unmanned Maritime Systems (PMS 406)