Bollinger Shipyards has marked a significant milestone with the delivery of the first three mine countermeasures unmanned surface vehicles (MCM USVs) to the US Navy. Constructed at the firm’s Louisiana facility as part of a 2022 contract, these MCM USVs are the inaugural platforms in a program that could see up to 27 such vessels delivered if all options are exercised.
The remotely operated boats are engineered for the detection, identification, and neutralization of sea mines in both coastal and open water environments. Their unmanned nature allows for mine-clearing operations in contested areas without putting sailors at risk, improving overall fleet safety and mission tempo.
With additional platforms anticipated, the MCM USV fleet represents a core element in future naval mine warfare strategy, offering scalable and persistent coverage for mine clearance in support of global maritime operations.
