MDUSV
Abstract
The Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MDUSV) Project will develop and test a 132 ft. unmanned surface vehicle with ocean-spanning range, months of endurance, good seakeeping, and substantial payload. The vessel will have a high level of autonomy for independent operations under sparse supervisory control and have utility for a variety of Navy missions. MDUSVs capable of deployed blue-water operations with operator trust in safe, reliable operation, long-range and endurance autonomous operations. This will create a new paradigm for Navy surface force, a hybrid manned/unmanned force, and enable new tactics in performing naval missions. The Activity identified in Project Unit 3454 specifically addresses Advanced Technology Development in support of the MDUSV INP effort. INP investments represent game changing technologies with the potential to revolutionize operational concepts. They are disruptive in nature, as they would dramatically change the way naval forces fight. Due to high technical risk, INPs typically have long duration but have no more than three years between decision points. INPs do not develop hardware for service use, rather they prove technological and production feasibility, and show naval utility and acquisition potential. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) demonstrates INPs in relevant environments. Successful experimentation and demonstrations present the Department of the Navy with disruptive capabilities that may lead to the obsolescence of existing capabilities and acquisition programs. The Department of the Navy would have to make significant acquisition decisions to integrate the new technological capabilities into naval warfighting systems. INPs are selected by a process that involves senior leadership in the Department of the Navy. Information security concerns preclude fully detailed descriptions of project efforts, research activities, and technology development plans. Specific information on each project and activity will be provided separately to the Congressional oversight committees.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2021
- Source ID
- 3454_0603801N_3_1319_PB_2021
Related Documents
- Root: Innovative Naval Prototypes (INP) Adv Tec Dev
- Child Accomplishment: MDUSV