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US completes MK 18 UUV programme of record

6th February 2023 - 18:00 GMT | by Shephard News Team in London

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An MK 18 UUV is deployed from a helicopter during a test flight. (Photo: US DoD)

Since the initial production lot, over 90 MK 18 Mod 2 UUVs have been provided to the USN.

Production of the Mk18 Mod 2 UUV programme of record has been completed, the USN announced on 3 February.

The announcement marks a significant milestone for the uncrewed vessel project.

The system began production in 2012 with a contract to Hydroid, now owned by major naval contractor HII.

USN Expeditionary Missions programme office programme manager Capt Jon Haase said: ‘The department’s long-standing partnership with HII and their subcontractors demonstrates how mature technologies coupled with innovative acquisition approaches can speed the delivery of critical mission-enabling capabilities to our warfighting forces.’

The MK 18 Mod 2 UUVs are a critical component in the USN’s Expeditionary Mine Countermeasures (ExMCM) mission suite of capabilities.

ExMCM forces provide a rapid mine countermeasure response capability.

In July 2022, the USN awarded the Medium Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (MUUV) contract to Leidos to design, test, and manufacture a next-generation ExMCM MUUV, known as Viperfish.

Viperfish will expand on the current MK 18 Mod 2 UUVs, offering increased ExMCM capabilities.