The US Department of Defense (DOD) and the US Navy have awarded Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) a US$7 million contract for design and engineering work of the navy's future large unmanned surface vessels (LUSVs).
FMM has been shortlisted with five other companies. Each will develop the conceptual design within August 2021.
The contract includes an option for an additional study phase to develop detailed engineering work that, if exercised, would extend the duration to May 2022.
The award process will follow the scheme of the tender for the navy's 10 first-in-class guided-missile FFG(X) frigates.