Navy looks for ideas to ‘swiftly prototype’ new USVs

WASHINGTON — Following a widely attended industry day earlier this summer, the US Navy today formally invited defense contractors to submit white papers on how they would go about designing, developing and demonstrating autonomous unmanned surface vessels carrying containerized payloads.

“The Department intends to swiftly prototype and demonstrate one or more [Modular Attack Surface Craft] USVs capable of embarking containerized payloads. This prototype will seamlessly maneuver with other Navy surface vessels or operate independently,” according to documents published by the service’s unmanned maritime systems program office. “The objective is for a non-exquisite vessel design that maximizes use of commercial standards to allow construction and repair at multiple shipyards. … Producibility, readiness, and the ability to scale up production are key aspects of the proposed vessel solution.”

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The service’s documents do not outline a specific schedule for a contract award, but do state the Navy plans to use Other Transaction Authorities. The documents also emphasize a need for the vessel to be fielded within 18 months of a prototype contract being awarded — suggesting the service intends to move quickly once it weeds out select submissions.

The solicitation offers three “vessel solutions” all with slightly varying specifications, but the one rated as most relevant to the Navy’s operational needs characterizes a MASC capable of carrying “two forty-foot… containerized payloads that weight 36.3 metric tons (MT) and consume up to 75 kilowatts each.”

“While carrying 25 MT on the payload deck, the vessel should achieve a minimum range of 2,500 nautical miles (nmi) while maintaining at least 25 knots, at all times, in NATO Sea State 4,” according to the document.

Proposals are due no later than Aug. 11.

Breaking Defense reported earlier this year that senior officials overseeing the service’s USV portfolio were eyeing a simplified approach for vessel procurement. Whereas the service previously projected building exquisite Medium and Large Unmanned Surface Vessels, both with unique requirements and missions, the MASC reflects the Navy’s desire for a single USV capable of being mass produced.

“We can build this craft in numbers at many shipyards. Designs already exist. We must not over-spec this,” Rear Adm. William Daly said in January, speaking of the theoretical USV the service should pursue.