Fleet-class unmanned surface vessel

Last updated

US Navy 110720-N-ZZ999-007 A common unmanned surface vehicle patrols for intruders during Trident Warrior 2011.jpg
A Fleet-class vessel in 2011
Class overview
Builders Textron
Operators United States Navy
Cost$5-6 million [1]
Built2008-present
Completed4
Active4
General characteristics
Class and typeFleet
Type Unmanned surface vehicle
Displacement7.7 tonnes (8.5 short tons)
Length39 ft (12 m)
Beam11.2 ft (3.4 m)
Speed35 kn (40 mph; 65 km/h)
Range1,200 nmi (1,400 mi; 2,200 km)
Endurance24 hours
Capacity5,000 lb (2,300 kg) (4,300 lb (2,000 kg) towing capacity)

The Fleet-class unmanned surface vessel, also called the Common Unmanned Surface Vessel (CUSV) and later the Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MCM USV), [2] is an unmanned surface vessel designed for the United States Navy to be deployed from Freedom and Independence-class littoral combat ships [3] and intended to conduct mine and anti-submarine warfare missions. As of 2012 four units of the class have been built; the first was delivered to the U.S. Navy in 2008.

Contents

Design and development

Developed by AAI Corporation, General Dynamics Robotic Systems, and Maritime Applied Physics, [4] [5] the Fleet class Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) is a small, semi-planing hull craft that is intended to operate in an optionally manned configuration to conduct anti-submarine warfare, special warfare, mine warfare and electronic warfare missions from littoral combat ships of the Freedom and Independence classes, being constructed using modular design to allow for rapid changes of mission through replacement of modules. [5] 39 feet (12 m) in length and displacing 7.7 tons, the Fleet class is capable of speeds of over 35 knots (40 mph; 65 km/h) and can carry up to 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) of equipment. [5] [6] The Fleet class is designed to operate for up to 48 hours without interruption. [7]

Designed to match the weight and handling limits of a conventional rigid-hulled inflatable boat, [8] the hull of the Fleet class USV is designed for good seakeeping in most sea states, and the vessels are equipped with advanced controls for autonomous navigation and operation. [6] They are also designed to be converted to manned operation through the replacement of mission modules within a 24-hour period. [9] The vessels of the Fleet class are the first unmanned vessels to be numbered as ships of the United States Navy. [6]

As part of the LCS Mine Countermeasure (MCM) mission package, the boats will act as the Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS) (formerly unmanned surface sweep system (USSS)), where they will tow a countermeasure system that emits acoustic and magnetic signals to trigger and detonate influence mines at a safe distance. It is also capable of carrying other counter-mine payloads, including a side scan sonar and minehunting and sweeping unmanned underwater vehicles, as well as non-lethal weapons and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) packages. [10] [11]

Due to reliability issues with the Remote Multimission Vehicle (RMMV), the CUSV is being considered as an alternative to perform minehunting in addition to minesweeping. It is also being tested for deploying off other ships besides the LCS, including a test from an Expeditionary Transfer Dock in fall 2015. [12] The Navy will begin testing the CUSV in August 2016 to see if it can tow the AN/AQS-20A sonar; in 2011, movement of the USV on the water's surface rendered the sonar inaccurate, but since then software and isolation devices became available to compensate. The vessel could take over minehunting in 2020. [1]

In January 2018, Textron announced the U.S. Navy was studying how to weaponize the CUSV for a surface warfare role. Various payloads are being considered including small missiles, remote gun turrets, and sensors and designators to act as a forward targeting node for larger ships. [13]

In 2023, Textron was awarded a contract from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) for the development of the Magnetic and Acoustic Generation Next Unmanned Superconducting Sweep (MAGNUSS) system. The UISS towed sensor sweep cable proved to be less effective in shallow water because it could get damaged by underwater objects and had lower performance in low-salinity water. The MAGNUSS payload uses a high-temperature superconducting magnetic source with an advanced acoustic generator that sits within the hull of a USV, spoofing magnetic- and acoustic-triggered sea mines without needing to deploy and retrieve a tow cable. [14]

Operational history

The first Fleet class USV 11MUC0601, was delivered to the United States Navy's Naval Undersea Warfare Center in May 2008; the second vessel of the class entered service the following month. [6]

In October 2014, Textron Systems won a $33.8 million contract from the U.S. Navy for the Fleet-class as the Common Unmanned Surface Vessel (CUSV). 52 boats are to be produced to equip 24 MCM mission packages with two vessels each, along with six for training and replacements. [10] The CUSV completed its critical design review in November 2015 and moved into production in January 2016, with deliveries planned for early 2017 as part of Increment 3 of the LCS MCM package. [12]

On 22 July 2022, the UISS reached initial operational capability (IOC), formally approving it to begin operating in the fleet. [15] [16] The full LCS mine countermeasures mission package (MCM MP) achieved IOC on 1 May 2023; in addition to the UISS, the MCM USV tows the AN/AQS-20C mine hunting and identification system. [17] [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minesweeper</span> Vessel for locating and removing naval mines

A minesweeper is a small warship designed to remove or detonate naval mines. Using various mechanisms intended to counter the threat posed by naval mines, minesweepers keep waterways clear for safe shipping.

Littoral combat ship Ship designed for operations near shore

A littoral combat ship (LCS) is either of two classes of relatively small surface vessels designed for operations near shore by the United States Navy. It was "envisioned to be a networked, agile, stealthy surface combatant capable of defeating anti-access and asymmetric threats in the littorals", although their ability to perform these missions in practice has been called into question.

The AN/SQQ-32 minehunting sonar set (MSS) is a variable-depth mine-hunting sonar system originally developed by Raytheon and Thales Underwater Systems for the United States Navy. It includes two separate active sonar systems to detect and classify mine-like objects on the surface, in the volume, or on the bottom of the sea. The sonar systems are packaged in a single towed body tethered to the ship through a cable providing power and data transmission, with the cable length variable via an electric winch. A hole in the ship extending from the sonar maintenance room (SMR) to the hull allows movement of the towed body in different configurations for maintenance, stowage at sea, and minehunting operations. The towed body can be configured for minehunting by either locking to the bottom of the ship's hull for shallow water operations, or by extending and retracting the tow cable to allow for variable depth sonar (VDS) operations. VDS operations are necessary in deep water due to refraction of the sonar from the various temperature layers present in the ocean; with the sonar positioned in the same thermal layer as the suspected mines the error induced by refraction is minimized. The detect and classify sonar subsystems are independently monitored and controlled by two operators at independent panels working together to find and characterize underwater objects as mine or non-mine like objects.

Tripartite-class minehunter Ship class of minehunters

The Tripartite class is a class of minehunters developed from an agreement between the navies of Belgium, France and the Netherlands. A total of 35 ships were constructed for the three navies. The class was constructed in the 1980s–1990s in all three countries, using a mix of minehunting, electrical and propulsion systems from the three member nations. In France, where they are known as the Éridan class they are primarily used as minehunters, but have been used for minesweeping and ammunition transport in Belgium and the Netherlands, where the Tripartites are known as the Alkmaar class.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unmanned surface vehicle</span> Vehicle that operates on the surface of the water without a crew

An unmanned surface vehicle, unmanned surface vessel or uncrewed surface vessel (USV), colloqually called a drone boat, drone ship or sea drone, is a boat or ship that operates on the surface of the water without a crew. USVs operate with various levels of autonomy, from remote control to fully autonomous surface vehicles (ASV).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AN/AQS-20A</span> Military sonar system

The AQS-20A is a sonar mine countermeasure detection system, developed by Raytheon. The system was initially tested for use on the MH-60S and MH-53E helicopters and as part of the mission package for the littoral combat ships (LCS) and some United States Navy destroyers of the Arleigh Burke class. However, the Chief of Naval Operations excluded the system from use on helicopter assets in March 2012, and only one destroyer has been outfitted with the specific mission package as of April 2009. The AN/AQS-20 naval mine hunting sonar systems will be employed for deeper mine threats. The "Q-20", as it is commonly called, is an underwater towed body containing a high resolution, side-looking, multi-beam sonar system used for minehunting along the ocean bottom. This rapidly deployable system provides real-time sonar images to operators to locate, classify, mark and record mine-like objects and underwater terrain features. The AQS-20 has an active, stabilized underwater vehicle, equipped with advanced multiple-beam side-looking sonar. The underwater body is towed via a small-diameter electromechanical cable, while an operator can view the underwater image and identify objects on a video monitor while recording the data on S-VHS digital tapes for post mission analysis. Operators actually "fly" the device underwater, controlling the depth of the device the same way that an airplane controls its altitude. Once located, the exact coordinates of mine-like objects can be used by explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personnel to reacquire and neutralize the mine.

USS <i>Leader</i> (MSO-490) Minesweeper of the United States Navy

USS Leader (AM-490/MSO-490) was an Agile-class minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the task of removing mines that had been placed in the water to prevent the safe passage of ships.

<i>Landsort</i>-class mine countermeasures vessel

The Landsortclass mine countermeasures vessel were built by Swedish shipbuilding company, Kockums for the Swedish Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) between 1983 and 1996.

<i>Avenger</i>-class mine countermeasures ship Class of American mine countermeasures ships

Avenger-class mine countermeasures ships are a class of 14 ships constructed for the United States Navy from 1987 to 1994, designed to clear mines from vital waterways. The ships have the hull designator MCM.

USS <i>Scout</i> (MCM-8)

The fourth USS Scout (MCM-8) is an Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship of the United States Navy.

<i>Bedok</i>-class mine countermeasures vessel Singaporean navy vessel

The Bedok class are mine countermeasures vessels of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). They play an important role in the maritime security of Singapore, ensuring that the Singapore Strait and the sea lanes surrounding Singapore remain mine-free and open to international shipping. It is estimated that closure of Singapore's ports would result in direct trade losses amounting to more than US$1.2 billion daily, posing a serious threat to Singapore's economy. The four ships form the Sixth Flotilla of the RSN.

USS <i>Warrior</i>

USS Warrior (MCM-10) is an Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship of the United States Navy.

<i>Independence</i>-class littoral combat ship US Navy small coastal combat ships

The Independence class is a class of littoral combat ships built for the United States Navy.

USS <i>Fort Worth</i> Freedom-class littoral combat ship of the US Navy

USS Fort Worth (LCS-3) is a Freedom-class littoral combat ship of the United States Navy. She is the first ship to be named after Fort Worth, Texas, the 13th-largest city in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AN/WLD-1 Remote Minehunting System</span> Weapon

The Lockheed Martin AN/WLD-1 RMS is a remotely controlled minesweeping system to be operated by surface warships. It consists of an unmanned semisubmersible vehicle, which tows a sonar array, and control infrastructure aboard the parent ship. The unmanned semisubmersible vehicle used is the US Navy Snorkeler-Class Unmanned Surface Vehicle.

<i>Koster</i>-class mine countermeasures vessel

The Koster class is a class of five mine-countermeasure vessels currently in use by the Swedish Navy. Built between 1982 and 1993 as part of the seven-strong Landsort-class mine countermeasures vessels, the last five ships of the class were given a comprehensive midlife upgrade between 2007 and 2010, which resulted in HMS Koster becoming the lead ship of the newly upgraded class of MCMVs. After the upgrade, the Swedish Navy expects that it will serve on for another 15 to 20 years. An identifying feature of the Koster class is the fire control radar on top of the bridge.

The Knifefish is an autonomous unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) under development by General Dynamics Mission Systems and Bluefin Robotics for the United States Navy. It is a propeller-driven minesweeping robot designed to replace the Navy's trained dolphins and sea lions after the retirement of the 50-year-old Marine Mammal Program in 2017. The Knifefish was first unveiled at a Navy exposition in April 2012, and was originally intended to operate in concert with the Navy's littoral combat ships (LCS) as part of a specialized counter-mine system.

<i>Sea Hunter</i> Autonomous unmanned surface vehicle launched in 2016

Sea Hunter is an autonomous unmanned surface vehicle (USV) launched in 2016 as part of the DARPA Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) program. The ship was christened 7 April 2016 in Portland, Oregon. It was built by Vigor Industrial. The vessel continues the line of experimental "Sea" ships, including Sea Shadow, Sea Fighter, Sea Jet, and Sea Slice. Sea Hunter is classified as a Class III USV and designated the Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MDUSV).

Future Multi Purpose Trimaran concept Proposed Japanese naval vessel

The Future Multi Purpose Trimaran concept is a concept design of a future naval ship for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

ULAQ is the prototype of the first Turkish armed unmanned surface vessel (AUSV).

References

  1. 1 2 Stackley: RMMV, CUSV, Knifefish Will All Play a Role in LCS Minehunting; Not a Competition - News.USNI.org, 7 April 2016
  2. ↑ Textron’s Common USV Ready for Production, Experimenting with Lethal Surface Warfare Payloads. USNI News. 22 January 2020.
  3. ↑ Jane's Navy International: Volume 113. London: Jane's Information Group. 2008. p. 60.
  4. ↑ "Fleet-Class Common Unmanned Surface Vessel". AAI, Inc. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 Sobie, Brendan (24 August 2010). "AUVSI: Making a splash". Flightglobal. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "GD Delivers First USV To US Navy For LCS". SpaceWar. SpaceDaily. 21 May 2008. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  7. ↑ Shachtman, Noah (9 October 2007). "Navy Plots Unmanned, Heavily Armed Fleet". Wired Magazine. New York. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  8. ↑ Scott, Richard (25 March 2008). "New-generation USVs offer increased mission diversity". IHS Jane's Defence & Security Intelligence & Analysis. London: Jane's Information Group. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  9. ↑ "The Navy Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) Master Plan". United States Navy. 23 July 2007. p. 62. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  10. 1 2 LCS to get unmanned mine-sweeping boats, drones - Defense-Update.com, 9 October 2014
  11. ↑ Textron showcased the Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle at Sea-Air-Space 2015 - Navyrecognition.com, 15 April 2015
  12. 1 2 Textron’s CUSV In Production As Minesweeping Vehicle, May Take On Minehunting Soon - News.USNI.org, 27 January 2016
  13. ↑ U.S. Navy, Textron to Weaponize Unmanned Craft for Surface Warfare - News.USNI.org, 9 January 2018
  14. ↑ "Textron Developing New Unmanned MAGNUSS Minesweeping Technology". Seapower Magazine. 4 April 2023. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023.
  15. ↑ Navy gives initial green light for first unmanned surface vehicle to join the fleet. Breaking Defense. 1 August 2022.
  16. ↑ US Navy robotic minesweeper ship declared operational. New Atlas. 3 August 2022.
  17. ↑ "Navy Declares Initial Operational Capability of Mine Countermeasures Mission Package". Seapower Magazine. 2 May 2023. Archived from the original on 7 May 2023.
  18. ↑ US Navy declares its mine countermeasures suite ready for operations. Navy Times . 11 May 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.