These contracts ensure the LCS will keep receiving updated MCM equipment. Credit: U.S. Navy photo courtesy Austal USA/commons.wikimedia.org (Creative Commons).

The US Navy has issued a series of contracts to support the deployment of mine countermeasures (MCM) mission packages (MP) aboard littoral combat ships (LCS).  

The contracts, awarded through the program executive office, uncrewed and small combatants (PEO USC), are aimed at improving the MCM uncrewed surface vehicle (USV), which is an autonomous, diesel-powered vessel capable of being deployed from LCS, other ships, or directly from the shore.  

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The USV’s modular design allows for the integration of various systems to execute MCM tasks such as minesweeping, mine hunting, and mine neutralisation. 

The Navy’s first contract, worth $7.7m, was awarded to Bollinger Shipyards for an Advanced Material Order (AMO) to enhance the MCM USV based on operational test results, with completion expected by September 2025.  

Additionally, Raytheon Technologies secured an $18.3m contract to produce five Minehunt Payload Delivery Systems (MH PDS) by the end of FY26.  

Textron Systems was granted a $12.1m contract for four Minesweep Payload Delivery Systems (MS PDS), scheduled for early FY27 delivery. 

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The MH PDS and MS PDS are designed to be integrated within the MCM USV, enabling it to conduct various mine countermeasure missions.  

The MS PDS provides the MCM MP acoustic and magnetic minesweeping capabilities, while the MH PDS uses the AN/AQS-20 sonar for mine hunting operations.  

LCS Mission Modules programme manager Matthew Lehmann said: “With the first deliveries of the MCM MP underway and deployments closely following, it is critical to ensure we have the contracts in place to procure and deliver the quantity of mission packages to the fleet required in today’s changing world. 

“These contract awards ensure our littoral combat ships will continue to receive the modernised MCM equipment needed to conduct their missions, allowing our sailors to operate safely and stay outside of the minefield.”   

These efforts are part of the PEO USC’s portfolio managed by NAVSEA’s LCS Mission Modules programme office. 

It is responsible for delivering a range of systems including unmanned maritime systems, mine warfare systems, and small surface combatants.