10 Block 0 UUVs to be Upgraded to Block 1 Standard
General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) is to retrofit five KNIFEFISH Block 0 surface mine countermeasure unmanned underwater vehicles (SMCM UUV) – comprising 10 vehicles – to the Block 1 configuration, the company announced on 3 June.
Under the $72.8 million (€60 million) contract, all 10 UUVs will be re-delivered in the Block 1 configuration, which offers the ability to operate at greater depth, to identify more complex target environments and to locate targets with greater precision. Intended to operate from the USN’s Littoral Combat Ship and other surface combatants, KNIFEFISH SMCM reduces personnel risk by providing an off-board sensor while the host vessel remains outside the minefield.
GDMS is the prime contractor for the KNIFEFISH programme and designed the tactical UUV using an open architecture concept that can be quickly and efficiently modified to accommodate a wide range of missions. Based on the GD Bluefin Robotics BLUEFIN-21 deep-water autonomous undersea vehicle, the initial Block 0 units on the predecessor Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract are now being delivered.