USN asks Hydroid for MK 18 payload upgrade hardware
The MK 18 UUV for the USN is based on the Remus 600. (Photo: Hydroid)
MK 18 UUV to receive Increment II hardware.
Huntington Ingalls Industries underwater technology subsidiary Hydroid is providing Increment II payload upgrade hardware to the USN in support of the MK 18 Mod 2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicle programme.
Work on the $74.7 million IDIQ contract, awarded by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, is scheduled for completion in April 2026.
Based on the Remus 600, the USN MK 18 is a highly configurable vehicle with a maximum operating depth of 600m.
Deployable from vessels as small as an 11m rigid hull inflatable boat and with a maximum mission duration of 24h, the vehicle can be outfitted with a broad range of sensors to meet the requirements of missions such as organic mine countermeasure, hydrographic survey, area search, surveillance and reconnaissance.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![BAE Systems to collaborate with Umoe Mandal on Type 26 frigate and Littoral Strike Craft]()
BAE Systems to collaborate with Umoe Mandal on Type 26 frigate and Littoral Strike Craft
The agreement is intended to boost opportunities for both UK and Norwegian naval shipbuilding.
-
![How the Force Design 2028 will impact US Coast Guard acquisitions]()
How the Force Design 2028 will impact US Coast Guard acquisitions
The FD 2028 strategy intends to reduce the bureaucracy in procurement processes while speeding up the field of assets.
-
![Thin-line towed arrays on uncrewed vessels deliver more cost-effective sonar, says SEA]()
Thin-line towed arrays on uncrewed vessels deliver more cost-effective sonar, says SEA
Miniaturisation of technology opens up radical sensing technologies to smaller navies under submarine threat, according to SEA sonar expert.
