The US Navy’s Knifefish mine countermeasure (MCM) unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV) has successfully concluded contractor trials off the coast of Boston, Massachusetts.

The trials were carried out by General Dynamics Mission Systems in order to demonstrate Knifefish’s ability to detect, classify and identify potential mines at a variety of depths.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Knifefish was operated in multiple testing fields at-sea using buried, bottom and volume type mine-test targets as part of the trial programme.

US Navy PMS 406 programme manager captain Jonathan Rucker said: “The navy is pleased with the Knifefish performance during the recent contractor trials, as the system demonstrated its ability to reliably find mines in different environments.

“Knifefish provides the navy a critical means to find and identify bottom, buried and volume mines, providing a much-needed capability for the warfighter.”

“Knifefish provides the navy a critical means to find and identify bottom, buried and volume mines, providing a much-needed capability for the warfighter.”

Knifefish is a medium-class mine countermeasure UUV that can be deployed from the US Navy’s littoral combat ship and other navy vessels.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The UUV is expected to reduce the risk to navy personnel when operating in minefields by allowing the host ship to stay outside the minefield’s boundaries.

Knifefish is now expected to undergo sea acceptance trials, which will begin next year.

General Dynamics Mission Systems Maritime and Strategic Systems vice-president and general manager Carlo Zaffanella said: “This round of contractor testing demonstrated the continued improvement in the performance of the Knifefish UUV.

“Working closely with the navy, we look forward to sea acceptance trials in 2018 and continued refinement of the Knifefish system.”