Trends in UUV development within the US Navy

Throughout the past decade, significant changes have taken place within the US Navy R&D community. During that period, facilities have been reorganized some totally eliminated, and the missions of many others have changed. The Navy has transitioned from a Cold War environment where the development of deep ocean unmanned undersea vehicles (WVs) was emphasized, to a period where their major applications are in the shallower littoral environment, mine warfare, and missions concerning conflicts in third world countries. Deep ocean developments such as the Advanced Unmanned Search System (AUSS) have given way to the new Long-term Mine Reconnaissance System (LMRS)-a submarine launched autonomous vehicle. This paper will discuss the many changes that have occurred within the Navy systems during the last several years, identify today´s key organizations in the area of unmanned undersea vehicle technology, and define their missions and plans as we approach the next millenium