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mand-and-control systems and payloads and
involve more complex and challenging naval
experimentation. Phase II testing is slated for
completion in FY 2021, following which the
Overlord vessels will transition to the Navy for
further experimentation.

Milestone Achievement
Earlier this year, an important milestone [ UNMANNED TECHNOLOGIES ]
was achieved in February, the U.S. Navy's
Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS)
Programme, based on its Common Unmanned
Surface Vehicle (CUSV), achieved a Milestone
C decision. The Navy UISS developmental test
and operational assessment was completed
in November 2019. The UISS is the first in the
Navy’s USV portfolio to reach this milestone.
developed to undertake Unmanned Undersea Warfare missions.
In May 2019, the U.S. established Surface Development Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) for this pro-
Squadron ONE (SURFDEVRON ONE), whose role it would be to gramme will soon commence, following the
integrate USVs and support fleet experimentation to accelerate Milestone C decision. Plans call for the Navy
delivery of new warfighting concepts and capabilities to the fleet. to award Textron Systems with three UISS sys-
SURFDEVRON ONE will be responsible for the maintenance, train-
ing and manning oversight for medium and large Unmanned Surface
Vessels (e.g. Sea Hunter / MDUSV) and ZUMWALT-class ships:
USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001),
the future USS Lyndon B Johnson (DDG 1002). The stand-up of
SURFDEVRON ONE will be executed in phases over the next
several years until it reaches full capacity and capability and the
squadron headquarters will be located onboard Naval Base San
Diego but will operate throughout various areas of operation.

As per an Unmanned Maritime Systems Update provided in January
by Captain Pete Small Programme Manager Unmanned Maritime
Systems (PMS 406), source selection for the LUSV concept design
is in progress and additional experimentation vessels will be pro-
cured in FY20. For the MUSV, source selection for prototype design
and fabrication is underway with planned delivery in FY23. The
U.S. Navy’s Large and Medium USV initiatives are run under the
Ghost Fleet Overlord programme, whose second phase started
in October 2019. The experiences gleaned from both Phase I and
II of Overlord are designed to inform and accelerate the Navy’s
Large and Medium USV programmes.

During Phase I, the U.S. Navy converted two existing commercial
fast supply vessels into USVs. These conversions focussed on
autonomous system integration; demonstration of navigational
autonomy; and hull, mechanical and electrical system reliability
upgrades. September 2019 saw Phase I conclude with a success-
ful capstone demonstration of both Overlord vessels executing
interactions compliant with the Convention on the International
Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS). During
Phase I testing, more than 600 hours of autonomy testing and
reliability of systems tests were completed; in addition to several
long-range autonomous transits in a complex navigational envi-
ronment.

Phase II will be conducted using the same ships from Phase I
and will focus on the integration of government-furnished com-

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