Bollinger awarded mine countermeasure USV contract

Bollinger Shipyards has been awarded a contract to build the Navy's Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Surface Vehicle, the Defense Department announced on Friday.

This announcement signals a major loss for Textron Systems, a company that has worked closely with the Navy over the years to develop its MCM USV program.

The contract award totals $13.7 million, with options to bring the value of the contract up to $122.9 million. If all options are exercised, work will continue through 2027, according to the announcement.

The competition was for a “build-to-print contract” for the initial production of the three MCM USVs, with the ability to procure up to six in the base year and options for up to 24 additional vehicles, according to the contract notice.

The MCM USV will replace the Navy’s aging Avenger-class minesweeping ships and the MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters.