The U.S. Navy released a request for proposals (RFP) on Dec. 23 for the design, development, and fabrication of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Program Executive Office Unmanned and Small Combatants’ Large Displacement Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (LDUUV) program, also known as Snakehead.
With this solicitation, the government plans to competitively award a contract to a single vendor for fabrication of two prototype vehicles in fiscal year (FY) 2021. Proposals are expected in early 2021.
Snakehead is a long-endurance, multi-mission UUV, deployed from submarine large open interfaces, with the capability to deploy reconfigurable payloads. It is the largest UUV intended for hosting and deployment from submarines, and has been designated a Maritime Accelerated Acquisition.
A surrogate Large Displacement Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (LDUUV) is submerged in the water in preparation for a test at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport in Puget Sound, Wash., in December 2015. This is an example of a test platform that will be used for Rapid Prototyping and Experimentation (RAPx) of Unmanned Systems in 2021. (U.S. Navy file photo)
The LDUUV will achieve full integration with Modernized Dry Deck Shelter and Payload Handling System-equipped submarines. Initial vehicles will be designed to support Intelligence Preparation of the Operating Environment (IPOE) missions. Future vehicle missions may include deployment of various payloads.
NAVSEA hosted a virtual industry day to brief the LDUUV program on June 16-17. Representatives from more than 50 companies took part via teleconference in support of the solicitation. Feedback from the industry day was incorporated in a draft RFP that was issued on Oct. 29. Additional industry feedback was considered to inform the final RFP.