A McLean, Virginia-based company called Alion Science and Technology has been awarded a multiple award contract (MAC) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) from the Department of Navy, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Newport, Rhode Island, to develop, build, and support the U.S. Navy UUV Family of Systems (FoS).

According to Alion, the scope of the contract covers systems and subsystems required to support the advancement of UUV FoS, which not only includes current UUV systems and subsystems, but also any future UUV systems and subsystems.

Alion says that the value of the contract, with all option years, is $794M.

“The ability to deploy unmanned vehicles with sensors that can covertly survey a contested environment and detect threats sooner, will provide the host platform an advanced situational awareness that increases the effectiveness of their tactical decision making with less risk to fleet personnel,” explains Vince Stammetti, senior vice president of Alion.

“In addition, the relatively low cost of a UUV as compared to the cost of building a ship, provides the Navy a low cost, force multiplier alternative. Under the FoS contract, the Navy has tasked industry to use their imagination to find even more ways to use them to increase capabilities.”

Under the contract, Alion will “design, develop, fabricate, test, install, document and deliver” rapid prototype material technologies associated with the products, systems, subsystems, ancillary and peculiar support equipment, and the development of Navy UUVs.