Bollinger gets Navy order for four more unmanned MCM vessels

MCM USV [Photo: Bollinger Shipyards]

The U.S. Navy has awarded Bollinger Shipyards a contract to build four additional Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vessels (MCM USV). This brings the total number of these vessels under contract up at Bollinger to seven, with options for up to 18 more vessels.

“Bollinger is honored to be entrusted by the U.S. Navy to continue building the Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vessel program,” said Ben Bordelon, president and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards. “Our skilled workforce is second to none. We are proud to support and protect the men and women of the U.S. Navy with state-of-the-art, multi-mission unmanned surface vessels that can operate in the most challenging conditions.”

Bollinger was first awarded the contract to build the MCM USV program in April 2022. The MCM USV is an autonomous vessel capable of supporting minesweeping, mine hunting, and mine neutralization missions. Naval mines present a significant threat to U.S. naval operations and to U.S. and allied shipping in coastal waters, continental shelf waters, port approaches, and straits.

The MCM USV program is key to replacing capabilities currently being undertaken by the soon to be retired MCM-1 class Mine Countermeasures Ships and MH-53E helicopters.

Bollinger will continue to build the MCM USV program at its Lockport, La., shipyard.