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The US Navy will work with Lockheed Martin and industry partner Vigor Works to provide a detailed study into developing a a proven, integrated and capable payload ship, able to patrol for extended durations, as part of the Large Unmanned Surface Vessel (LUSV) competition.
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The Lockheed Martin team’s design uses a proven commercial ship that will be augmented with automation, autonomy and cyber security elements to house a payload.
The design leverages Lockheed Martin’s autonomy and automation experience, including our proven platform-agnostic Sikorsky MATRIX technology that’s been used to fly a helicopter from a wireless tablet, and our AXIS control technology, used on more than half of US Navy surface ships to manage engineering and machinery controls.
As prime contractor, Lockheed Martin will manage the program, deliver platform integration, systems engineering, combat management, automation and cyber solutions.
Joe DePietro, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager of small combatants and ship systems, said, "The Lockheed Martin team brings together nearly 200 years of combined experience in shipbuilding, integration, automation and autonomy."
Under the $7 million contract, Lockheed Martin will deliver the study within 12 months in advance of the next phase of the competition – the Navy’s LUSV Detailed Design & Construction competition.
"Our team is energised by and focused on delivering the Navy what they’ve asked for – a design for an affordable, low-risk ship capable of bringing the Navy’s Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO) vision to life," DePietro added.
Richard McCreary, Vigor vice president, business development, welcomed the announcement, saying, "We are honoured to be part of the Lockheed Martin team and to leverage our extensive fabrication expertise, including previously building 16 USVs of various designs and sizes.
"We are ready to deliver a concept design that will help the Navy deploy a safe, efficient and affordable LUSV fleet for the future."
The US Navy’s vision for USVs will enable the fleet to fight as a distributed, networked and more lethal force, USVs will provide extended presence across the globe with reduced risk to sailors and increased obstacles and complications for adversaries.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 110,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
Vigor is a values-driven, diversified industrial business operating in seven locations with 2,300 people in Oregon, Washington and Alaska.
Built around a collection of powerful, unique assets and differentiated capabilities, Vigor excels at ship repair, marine vessel fabrication, and handling important, complex projects in support of energy generation, our nation’s infrastructure and national defense.
