L3Harris Secures Major US Navy Contract for Advanced Unmanned Surface Vessels
LAFAYETTE, La. — L3Harris Technologies has secured a contract from the U.S. Navy for the Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MUSV) initiative. This marks the Navy’s inaugural program for an unmanned surface asset to bolster the Navy’s Distributed Maritime Operations framework.
The initial contract, amounting to $35 million, is part of a broader $281 million initiative that encompasses a prototype along with options for a total of nine MUSVs. L3Harris will incorporate the company’s ASView autonomy technology into a specifically designed 195-foot commercially derived vessel from a facility on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana.
The MUSV is set to furnish intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to the fleet while navigating autonomously and adhering to international Collision Regulations, even amidst various operational scenarios.
“The MUSV program award solidifies our investments in the unmanned technology sector and highlights our unwavering dedication to equipping our warfighters with mission-critical capabilities,” stated Sean Stackley, President of Integrated Mission Systems at L3Harris. “L3Harris is committed to advancing a comprehensive array of reliable and cost-effective autonomous maritime solutions, promoting distributed maritime operations in support of the National Defense Strategy.”
L3Harris will act as the systems integrator, providing mission autonomy and perception technologies as the prime contractor for the initiative. The team involved in the program also encompasses Gibbs & Cox and Incat Crowther, responsible for the vessel’s design, while Swiftships will finalize the construction of the craft.
