Loading the UUV
(click to view full)

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles are becoming increasingly popular for a number of roles, including mine detection, advance scouting roles against enemy vessels, and basic hydrographic work. With nuclear submarines costing $2 billion and more per boat, an inexpensive surrogate that could handle some of the most dangerous jobs seems like an obvious addition – especially given the popularity of well-understood torpedo-like designs for key naval UUVs like Remus family, Bluefin-21 et. al.

Launching these UUVs is no challenge. Just build them to the 21-inch diameter limit and use the torpedo tubes. The thing is, submarines have a more restricted carrying capacity than most people think; even the US Virginia Class can carry only 26 total torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and torpedo-like UUVs. That makes one-shot UUVs unacceptably expensive. In order to be effective, submarines will have to do something not normally done with torpedoes – recover them at the end of their mission. Enter the Long-Term Mine Reconnaissance System (LMRS), now known as the AN/BLQ-11 UUV…

Get the rest of this story by signing up for the Defense Industry Insider - the military acquisition knowledge base that's updated daily. Your choice of monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription starting from less than $46 per month.

• Follow the 80/20 rule and save time
• Don't miss important facts
• Get the big picture, quickly
• Eliminate your blindspots
• Stay on top of new and forthcoming events

• Ability to conduct complex searches
• Procurement and doctrine issues
• Timeline of past and future program events
• Links to other useful resources
• Instant content access after payment

"Well written, interesting daily with information not readily available elsewhere...! You handle it with aplomb!" - a defense contractor CEO

Already a member? Login

Login to your DII account

Email
Password
Remember me
Lost your password?