Military Embedded Systems

Large unmanned surface vessel study led by Lockheed Martin

News

September 18, 2020

Emma Helfrich

Technology Editor

Military Embedded Systems

DARPA image.

BETHESDA, Md. Lockheed Martin will provide a study for a proven, integrated, and capable payload ship, able to patrol for extended durations, as part of the U.S. Navy’s Large Unmanned Surface Vessel (LUSV) competition.

Lockheed Martin is partnering with Portland-based Vigor Works, LLC as the team’s shipbuilder. As prime contractor, Lockheed Martin will aim to manage the program, deliver platform integration, systems engineering, combat management, automation, and cyber solutions.

The Lockheed Martin team’s design uses a proven commercial ship that will be augmented with automation, autonomy, and cybersecurity elements to house a payload. The design leverages autonomy and automation experience, including Lockheed Martin's platform-agnostic Sikorsky MATRIX technology that’s been used to fly a helicopter from a wireless tablet, and the AXIS control technology, used on U.S. Navy surface ships to manage engineering and machinery controls.

Under the $7 million contract, Lockheed Martin will deliver the study within 12 months in advance of the next phase of the competition – the Navy’s LUSV Detailed Design & Construction competition.

 

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