US Navy awards contract for autonomous MCM capabilities

The US Navy’s Program Executive Office, Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC), has awarded a series of contracts to facilitate autonomous Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mine Countermeasures (MCM) Mission Package (MP) deployments.

The MCM Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) is an unmanned, diesel-powered surface craft that can be launched from an LCS, vessel of opportunity, or shore. Its modular flexibility allows integration with multiple payload delivery systems that perform MCM missions, including minesweeping, mine hunting and mine neutralization. These contracts unsure the Navy has the most advanced uncrewed systems to effectively conduct MCM missions in the littorals, the service says.

The Navy awarded the first contract to Bollinger Shipyards for an MCM USV Advanced Material Order (AMO), valued at US$7.7 million ($12.25 million), which is expected to be completed in September 2025. This contract will procure items needed to improve the MCM USV based on findings from operational testing.

The Navy also awarded a production contract for the Minehunt Payload Delivery System (MH PDS) to Raytheon Technologies. This contract, worth $18.3 million ($29.13 million), will deliver five units by the end of FY26.

Additionally, the Navy awarded a production contract for the Minesweep Payload Delivery System (MS PDS) to Textron Systems. This contract, worth $12.1 million ($19.25 million), will produce four units, for delivery early in FY27.

Leveraging the flexibility of the MCM USV, the Minehunt and Minesweep Payload Delivery Systems integrate within the USV, enabling it to perform missions. The MS PDS provides acoustic and magnetic minesweeping capabilities to the MCM Mission Package, while the MH PDS uses the AN/AQS-20 sonar to perform mine hunting missions.

“These contracts are pivotal to ensure that the Navy’s LCS are equipped with the most advanced and reliable Mine Countermeasures capabilities,” said Rear Adm. Kevin Smith, PEO USC program executive officer. “As we continue to face evolving threats in the littoral environment, these investments not only enhance our operational readiness but also demonstrate our commitment to safeguarding our Sailors and maintaining a competitive edge. By modernizing and expanding our MCM mission packages, we are providing our forces with the tools necessary to maintain access to key maritime regions and keep global shipping lanes safe.”

A part of the PEO USC portfolio within NAVSEA, the Navy’s LCS Mission Modules program office designs, develops, builds, and delivers the Navy’s unmanned maritime systems; mine warfare systems; special warfare systems; expeditionary warfare systems; small boats/craft; and small surface combatants.

The RAN had its own autonomous uncrewed MCM program, Project SEA1905, which was cancelled after publication of Defence’s Integrated Investment Program (IIP) in April 2024. The RAN is now paying off its four remaining Huon-class minehunters without any form of MCM replacement, crewed or uncrewed. At the time the project was cancelled two companies, French firm Exail and Adelaide-based Saab Australia, were competing for prime contractorship.