Knifefish surface mine countermeasure UUV delivered to Navy
NewsMarch 26, 2021
FAIRFAX, Va. General Dynamics Mission Systems has delivered the first Knifefish surface mine countermeasure unmanned underwater vehicle (SMCM UUV) system under a contract awarded by the U.S. Navy on Aug. 26, 2019. The contract, awarded after a successful Milestone C decision and approval to enter low-rate initial production (LRIP), calls for the procurement of five Knifefish systems (10 total UUVs) and support equipment.
According to the company, Knifefish SMCM is a medium-class mine countermeasure UUV intended for deployment from the Navy's littoral combat ship and other Navy vessels of opportunity.
Knifefish SMCM will be designed to reduce risk to personnel by operating within minefields as an off-board sensor while the host ship stays outside the minefield boundaries.
General Dynamics Mission Systems is the prime contractor for the Knifefish program. Officials say the company designed the tactical UUV using an open architecture concept that can be modified to accommodate a range of missions. The Knifefish SMCM UUV is based on the General Dynamics Bluefin Robotics Bluefin-21 deep-water autonomous undersea vehicle.
