The US Navy has released a request for proposals (RFP) for the design, development, and fabrication of the Snakehead large displacement unmanned undersea vehicle (LDUUV).
The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) issued the solicitation on December 23. It plans to 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.
The LDUUV will achieve full integration with the 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 said.
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.
