BOSTON, 15 May 2007. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded Hydroid LLC, a manufacturer of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), a nearly $26 million contract for the maintenance, repair, alterations, and upgrades of the DoD's remote environmental measuring units (REMUS) AUV system variants, as well as upkeep of documentation associated with these systems.
156 REMUS systems are in use worldwide, a number of which are being utilized by the DoD for Search-Classify-Map and mine countermeasure operations.
Marking the largest service deal in Hydroid's five-year history, this contract will include services and supplies required for the operation and maintenance of these AUV systems, including maintaining the systems in a state-of-the-art configuration. The contract will also provide for procurement of up to 24 additional AUV replacement vehicles/auxiliary support equipment, should any AUVs be lost or damaged beyond repair.
Work associated with this contract will be performed at Hydroid's headquarters in Pocasset, Mass., and is expected to be completed by May 2012.
Hydroid's REMUS AUVs can be fitted with different types of sensors and cameras to aid in hydrographic surveys, harbor security operations, debris field mapping, and scientific sampling and mapping, among other activities. Hydroid's AUVs are currently being used by many navies around the world, including the U.S. Navy, British Royal Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy, and German Navy.
