The Pentagon will spend $800 million on underwater drones
The US Department of Defense has signed contracts for the development of unmanned underwater vehicles totaling almost $800 million, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
The Stars and Stripes newspaper reported this today.
According to the publication, the funds are distributed among 23 companies, each of which will participate in the “purchase of materials and services for the development, production and technical support of a family of unmanned underwater vehicles.” Work under the concluded contracts is planned to be completed in July 2023.
For the 2019 fiscal year (begins October 1), the newspaper writes, the US Department of Defense requested $9,6 billion for the development of all types of unmanned systems, which is 28% higher than the same expenses for the current year.
“Unmanned systems and robotics are critical technology areas that enable the United States to counter the range of evolving threats that characterize the modern theater of operations,” Brian Wynne, president of the nonprofit International Association of Unmanned Systems, told the newspaper.
According to the association, over the past three years, the US Navy has actually led the country's efforts to create military drones. The Navy currently oversees more than half of all air, land and underwater drone projects.
The Pentagon will spend $800 million on underwater drones.