U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Influence Sweep System Completes IOT&E

TR_123456 · Aug 28, 2021

The UISS is an unmanned, self-propelled, semi-autonomous surface vehicle equipped with capability to sweep acoustically and/or magnetically actuated naval mines. US Navy picture.

The Program Executive Office for Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC) has completed the ship-based Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) for the Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS) program onboard the littoral combat ship (LCS) USS Manchester (LCS 14) off of the California coast.

NAVSEA press release

The ship-based IOT&E, conducted in May and June, included end-to-end minesweeping missions versus Navy Instrumented Threat Targets (NAVITTARs) and demonstrated UISS supportability and integration with the LCS seaframe. The IOT&E team conducted pierside and underway launch and recovery, maintainability demonstrations, and end-to-end mission execution in support of Initial Operational Capability (IOC) and delivery of capability to the Fleet.

PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 27, 2019) The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Manchester (LCS 14) sails in the eastern Pacific (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon Renfroe/Released)

Designed for the LCS as part of the mine countermeasures mission package, the UISS consists of a mine countermeasures unmanned surface vehicle (MCM USV) and a towed minesweeping payload for influence sweeping of magnetic, acoustic, and magnetic/acoustic combination mines. UISS can also be launched from vessels of opportunity or from shore.

“Completion of this operational test event achieves a major milestone for the UISS Program of Record, and demonstrates continued progress to fielding the full capability of the MCM Mission Package aboard LCS,” said Capt. Godfrey “Gus” Weekes, LCS Mission Modules Program Manager (PMS420). “The test event demonstrated for the first time both the capability and sustainability of a minesweeping capability using an unmanned system from an LCS in an operationally realistic environment. I want to highlight the adaptability and dedication of the test teams across many organizations in executing these critical tests despite the challenges imposed by COVID-19.”