Article Posted on : - Aug 16, 2013

FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA (BNS): General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems has successfully completed the comprehensive risk reduction programme for the U S Navy's Knifefish Surface Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) programme.

Designed to discover any potential systems defect early on in the programme's development phase, the configuration item test (CIT) successfully verified key components within the UUV system including the hardware architecture and critical areas of hardware and software integration.

The test programme included subsystem tests of key payload components (high-fidelity SONAR and ultra-high-density data storage/recording), key propulsion components (quieter, more powerful propulsion) and key software interface elements.

Knifefish will be a critical part of the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship mine warfare mission package, providing the fleet mine warfare commander and sailors with enhanced mine-hunting capabilities.

Scheduled for operations beginning in 2017, Knifefish will reduce risk to personnel by operating in the minefield as an off-board sensor while the host ship stays outside the minefield boundaries.

The Knifefish system will include two UUVs, in addition to launch and recovery equipment, a support container, spare parts and support equipment.

The U S Navy's Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) awarded General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems a contract to design and build Knifefish in September 2011.