USN awards Knifefish retrofit to General Dynamics
Knifefish SMCM program advances to Block 1 with increased capabilities added to all five LRIP systems. (Photo: General Dynamics Mission Systems)
General Dynamics Mission Systems has been awarded a $72.8million contract by the US Navy to retrofit Knifefish mine countermeasure UUVs.
General Dynamics Mission Systems has been awarded a $72.8million contract from the US Navy to retrofit five Block 0 Knifefish surface mine countermeasure unmanned underwater vehicle (SMCM UUV) systems.
The retrofit process is necessary to maintain the Knifefish’s operational capabilities. It will enable the vehicle to operate at deeper depths, identify more complex target environments and provide more precise localisation.
Once complete, all ten Knifefish Block 0 UUVs will be upgraded with the new requirements, integrated and re-delivered in the Block 1 configuration.
Knifefish SMCM will reduce risk to personnel by operating within minefields as an off-board sensor, while the host ship stays outside the minefield boundaries.
General Dynamics Mission Systems is the prime contractor for the Knifefish programme. The company designed the UUV using an open architecture concept that can be quickly and efficiently modified to accommodate a wide range of missions.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the Knifefish UUVs were developed for the Surface Mine Countermeasure UUV programme to equip the USN’s Littoral Combat Ships.
Each system includes two UUVs, launch and recovery equipment, a support container, spare parts and support equipment.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
-
![US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS]()
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
![AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024]()
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
![Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards]()
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
-
![FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official]()
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.
-
![Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities]()
Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities
Funds for the second phase of this effort will be allocated in the US Department of Defense (DoD) FY2026 budget request.
