PANAMA CITY, Fla., July 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy reports successful completion of shore-based and at-sea integrated system tests on the prototype Unmanned Influence Sweep System.
Designed for littoral combat ships as part of the mine countermeasures mission package, the system provides unmanned mine-sweeping capability that keeps warfighters out of the mine field.
The system consists of an unmanned surface craft that carries and tows the mine-sweeping payload.
The test, known as Phase 1 Sweep Operational Checkout, consisted of confirming that the new sweep system can be deployed and retrieved from a surface craft and that it tows properly. The test was the first use of the prototype Sweep Power Subsystem, which includes magnetic and acoustic sweep systems.
"The first day of testing was executed flawlessly," said Stephen Olson, Unmanned Maritime Systems assistant program manager for UISS System Integration and Test. "The team performed very well and the system operated as expected."
This summer's test program includes a full signature test and full mission profile in which the entire UISS system will be tested in a series of integrated systems tests planned to demonstrate mine-sweeping capability in preparation for littoral combat ship mission package integration.
