ISR USV for the Dutch Ministry of Defence

The Dutch Ministry of Defence (NLMoD) is investing in Maritime Unmanned Systems to survey unknown areas and increase the situational awareness area during a mission, in other words to enhance Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR). One of the foreseen systems is an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV), transportable via NLMoD ships, able to perform IRS tasks in the littoral. As the military USV market is in full development, but the commercial USV market is already existing, we aim to procure existing systems to ensure quick operational effect. The Materiel and IT Command (COMMIT) of the NLMoD is, therefore, considering a tender for the delivery of ISR-USV’s. Before publishing this tender, COMMIT has decided to consult the market first. Goal of the ISR-USV is to support the NLMoD Navy in Amphibious and offshore patrol missions by adding sensor capabilities to the NLMoD Navy fleet. The USV is not foreseen to be ocean worthy, in the sense of navigating oceans for longer distances, thus it will be transported by larger (amphibious) navy vessels of the NLMoD. Since the procurement project aims to deliver an operational capability based on existing systems, with associated possible operational shortcomings, the initial number of USVs is limited. The functional requirements of the vessel are described in this document. The proposed requirements for the vessel are ambitions and may not be –either individually or in combination- technically feasible or financially affordable. Hence, COMMIT will investigate both aspects, which may lead to changes in requirements. This market consultation aims to benchmark the ambition and moreover assists in the realisation of a realistic and affordable tender. COMMIT invites potential participants to respond, even if a vessel is only partially compliant. Participants are encouraged to respond with different designs of vessels if they deem their designs fitting for the general purpose described above.