MCM USV contractor testing continuing through COVID-19 restrictions

A Florida-based Navy testing facility says it is continuing work on a new unmanned surface vehicle despite restrictions stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Surface Vehicle team at Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City, FL, is proceeding with contractor testing using the "coastal test range," according to an April 2 Navy statement.

"The CTR is a combination of diverse training and test fields managed by NSWC PCD and used to support the needs of the mine warfare (MIW) community," the statement continued.

The statement comes a month after the service awarded Textron Systems a $21 million low-rate initial production contract for the USV following delays caused by calibration issues and necessary software updates identified during testing.