New minehunting system will be mission-capable by the end of FY-21

The Navy expects a new minehunting system carried abroad an unmanned vessel to reach operational capability before the end of September.

The Unmanned Influence Sweep System finished its initial operational test and evaluation in June, Navy spokeswoman Jamie Koehler told Inside Defense.

According to the Navy's fiscal year 2022 budget request, the UISS uses "an Unmanned Surface Vehicle integrated with an Unmanned Surface Sweep System, a magnetic/acoustic sweep system developed to sweep acoustic/magnetic influence mines. It can be deployed from the Littoral Combat Ship or a Vessel of Opportunity."

In FY-20, the UISS was brought under the umbrella of the Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Surface Vessel program. The Navy is asking for $20 million in FY-22 for the program.

The Navy expects MCM USV to complete IOT&E in FY-22, according to the budget request.