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WLD-1 USV

Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors Electronics Park in Syracuse, NY received a not-to-exceed $23.4 million cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price modification under previously awarded letter contract (N00024-05-C-6237) as part of the remote minehunting system (RMS) program. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC is exercising an option for production of three installation and checkout (INCO) kits and supporting equipment and engineering services for three remote minehunting vehicle (RMV) units. Lockheed will also overhaul the first two remote minehunting engineering development models (EDMs), which have already been produced. Work will be performed in Syracuse, NY (60%), and Riviera Beach, Fla. (40%), and is expected to be completed by August 2007.

Of course, this effort is part of a larger contract set…

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DID has covered the AN/WLD-1(V)1 RMS – a high-endurance, remotely controlled, off-board, hard to detect, snorkeling USV. It will be used for mine reconnaissance, using its own sensors and maneuvering power in conjunction with the AN/AQS-20A towed array sonar to detect and classify objects in that are moored or set on the seabed. Adding a USV option for this role helps to provide more comprehensive shallow water coverage, without requiring purpose-built minesweeper ships or placing large and expensive ships at risk.

These vehicles will be incorporated into the DDG 91 through DDG 96 Arleigh Burke Class destroyers, and will form an important part of the new Littoral Combat Ship’s mine warfare mission module.

Updates:

Jan 14/08: Lockheed Martin announces that it “recently” delivered the third production WLD-1 Remote Multi-Mission Vehicle (RMMV) to the U.S. Navy. The first and second RMMV were delivered to the Navy in April and August 2007, respectively.