The Navy issued a sources sought/Request for Information (RFI) notice for industry feedback on potential specifications of the future Large Unmanned Surface Vessel (LUSV).
The notice, published Nov. 4, is specifically seeking industry feedback on the draft LUSV ship specification document along with technical questions posted to the bidder’s library. It did not include the full RFI because it is restricted with controlled technical data that is only available for contractors with the proper clearance.
The Navy said the Program Executive Office Unmanned and Small Combatants’ Unmanned Maritime Systems Program Office (PMS 406) is developing requirements for the Detail Design and Construction of the LUSV. This RFI seeks to further inform those requirements.
The RFI said it will use the LUSV as a high-endurance “affordable asset capable of weeks-long deployments and trans-oceanic transits. LUSV will be built to commercial American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) vice military standards.”
The notice underscored the LUSV will act as an adjunct missile magazine, with primary missions to support anti-surface and strike warfare. The Navy envisions the vessel working with carrier strike groups, expeditionary strike groups, surface action groups and individual manned vessels.
The Navy’s FY 2024 budget request documents said the LUSV program aims to provide “affordable, high endurance combatants or augment battle groups” capable of “weeks-long deployments and trans-oceanic transits.”
According to a September Congressional Research Service (CRS) report, the Navy envisions LUSV being 200 to 300 feet long with a full load displacement of 1,000 to 2,000 tons.
CRS said this would make the LUSV about the size of a corvette, between a patrol craft and frigate in size. It said the Navy wants LSV to be equipped with a vertical launch system that specifically includes 16 to 32 missile tubes.
The detail design and construction (DD&C) timeline envisioned in the FY ‘24 request has the Request For Proposals issued by the second quarter of 2024, source selection between the third quarter of 2024 to the third quarter of 2025, Milestone B achieved by the third quarter of 2025, and full contract award and start of production on LUSV by the fourth quarter of 2025.
The Navy plans to spend $315 million on the first LUSV, $522.5 million for the next two in 2026, three in 2027 for $722.7 million total, and three more in 2028 for $737.2 million. If these prices hold, the Navy plans LUSVs to start at $315 million and lower to about $246 million by 2028.
In August, the Navy awarded Leidos [LDOS] a potential $95 million task order to manage, operate and maintain the Overlord USVs and MUSVs (Defense Daily, Aug. 17).
The Navy has been experimenting with the Overlord USVs Nomad, Mariner and Ranger as well as the Medium USVs Seahawk and Sea Hunter. Leidos delivered all of those USVs except Nomad and is on contract to build and deliver four engineering development model MUSVs.
The service also has established a Land Based Test Site at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia to test LUSV ancillary equipment and also develop and prove government-furnished engineering autonomy software and machinery control systems.