Description               

The Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MCM USV) is a long-endurance, semi-autonomous, diesel-powered, all-aluminum surface craft that supports the employment of various mine countermeasure (MCM) payloads. Designated on Oct. 8, 2018, as an Acquisition Category II Program of Record, the MCM USV with its modular Payload Delivery Systems (PDS), provides minehunting (MH) and minesweeping (MS) capabilities to the MCM mission package (MP). The MCM USV is the first USV designed to be operational in the Fleet and constitutes the first step toward building the hybrid fleet described in Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Force Design 2045. Leveraging a mature craft design developed under the ACAT III Unmanned Minesweeping Module (UMS) program, the MCM USV program employs multiple PDS, such as the Minesweeping PDS, Minehunting PDS, and PDSs for future payloads, including mine neutralization, all of which integrate with the base MCM USV.

Features

Core capabilities of the MCM USV craft include propulsion, power generation, communications with the host ship, radar, optical cameras, navigation, and a modular payload system. The MCM USV is capable of being launched and recovered by the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), from vessels of opportunity (VOO), or from shore sites. By leveraging unmanned systems, the MCM USV reduces personnel risk by allowing the host MCM platform to operate within standoff distance from the threat area for the first time, effectively taking the “sailor out of the minefield.”

Minesweeping PDS and Unmanned Minesweeping Module (UMS). When used with the Minesweeping PDS, the MCM USV supports minesweeping operations using an influence sweep system that addresses magnetic, acoustic, and combined magnetic/acoustic mine types. Known as the Unmanned Minesweeping Module (UMS), the system tows the modified Mk-104 system acoustic generator and a magnetic minesweeping cable. In July 2022, the Navy declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) of the UMS.

Minehunt Payload Delivery System (PDS). With a minehunting PDS and payload (e.g., surface towed sonar), the MCM USV supports minehunting operations, including detection, identification, classification, and localization of volume and bottom mine like contacts. The AN/AQS-20C sonar includes side-looking, gap filler, and forward-looking sonars, providing simultaneous detection and classification of bottom mines, close-tethered moored mines, and volume moored mines. The towed sonar is equipped with an electro-optic identification device for identifying bottom mines and is deployed via a winch system from the MCM USV, operating in either an altitude or depth-following mode.

This combination of sonars enables the system to detect and classify mine-like objects in a single pass. The system also has an identification capability that delivers optical images of bottom mines, providing the operator with both range and contrast data that combines to form a three-dimensional image during post-mission analysis to aid in mine identification.

Mine Neutralization PDS and Barracuda Payload. When used with a Mine Neutralization (MN) PDS and Barracuda payload, the MCM USV supports autonomous reacquiring of mine-like objects, followed by operator-directed mine destruction. When deployed as part of the MCM MP, the MN PDS communications system, launcher, and launch-and-guidance control subsystems are installed aboard the MCM USV. The MN PDS software release, including the launcher operator interface software, are integrated into the Mission Package Computing Environment (MPCE) to successfully deploy Barracuda payloads in support of mine neutralization missions.

For command and control (C2), MCM USV is interoperable with the LCS MCM MP C2 suite via the Multiple Vehicle Communications System (MVCS), and with VOO or shore sites via the Mission Package Portable Computing System (MPPCS) with Line-Of-Sight communication systems.

Background

Sea mines pose a significant threat to U.S., allied, and commercial shipping, particularly in navigation choke points and transit lanes. With the minesweep payload installed, MCM USV satisfies the Navy's need for a long endurance, organic (off-board) minesweeping capability. The use of USVs increases safety by taking Sailors out of the minefield. The MCM USV, coupled with the towed sonar, satisfies the Navy's need for an organic (off-board) surface ship mine reconnaissance capability. It is designed to rapidly determine the presence of mines and identify safe routes or areas operating around potential minefields. In March 2025, MCM USVs embarked on USS Canberra (LCS-30) and USS Santa Barbara (LCS-32) for deployments. The program has delivered nine MCM USVs to the Fleet, currently has eighteen more under contract, and is working towards a final inventory of 48.

General Characteristics, Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vehicle - (MCM USV)

Contractor:   Bollinger Shipyards, Lockport, Louisiana (MCM USV Production Contract)

Contractor:     Textron Systems, Hunt Valley, Maryland (MCM USV in-service engineering, software support and payload integration)

General Characteristics, Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS)                                                    

Contractor: Textron Systems, Hunt Valley, Maryland

General Characteristics, AN/AQS-20 Minehunting Sonar System                           

Contractor: Raytheon - Portsmouth, Rhode Island

General Characteristics, Mine Hunt Payload Delivery System                          

Contractor: Raytheon, Poulsbo, Washington