Tag: USV

New Phase of Ghost Fleet Overlord Unmanned Surface Vessel Testing Begins

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October 1, 2019 – The second phase of the Ghost Fleet Overlord program commenced with the award of contract modifications to the two industry teams who participated in Phase I, the Program Executive Office Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC) announced Oct. 1. The Overlord program, developed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense Strategic Capabilities Office (OSD SCO) in partnership with PEO USC, will play a vital role in informing the Navy’s new classes of unmanned surface vessels (USVs). Phase I converted two existing commercial fast supply vessels…

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BAE Systems demonstrates first integration of USV with a Warship

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September 11, 2019 – At a time of increased threat to international shipping, BAE Systems will this week demonstrate for the first time how Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) can be fully integrated with operational Royal Navy warships to extend their reach beyond the horizon and reduce sailors’ exposure to danger. An unmanned Pacific 24 Rigid Inflatable Boat (P24 RIB) will be integrated with the combat system of HMS Argyll, a Type 23 frigate, in a series of waterborne demonstrations in London’s Docklands at DSEI 2019, the international defence and security…

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Navy, Marine Corps Leaders Witness New Expeditionary Warfare USV in Action at ANTX Demonstration

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August 26, 2019 – The Navy civilian engineers who developed a unique weaponized unmanned surface vehicle (USV) tested by the Marine Corps in July envision that its technological capabilities will revolutionize naval warfare. The Expeditionary Warfare USV – capable of performing force protection and long-range USV missions during distributed maritime operations, littoral operations in a contested environment, and expeditionary advanced base operations – was developed for Navy surface warfare and Marine Corps expeditionary warfare missions, they announced Aug. 26. “We believe the USV autonomous sensing, targeting, and engagement systems demonstrate…

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BAE Systems Announces Evolution in Unmanned Boat Technology

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July 24, 2019 – BAE Systems has successfully completed a series of trials on a ‘first of its kind’ autonomous boat that will allow navies to go beyond the limits of human endurance with unmanned vessels that can travel further, for longer and to more inhospitable environments. The autonomous Pacific 950 Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) demonstrator has been used to develop and prove innovative technologies which have the potential to make naval missions faster, easier and safer, taking the relationship between human and machine to new territories. Developed alongside industry…

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US Navy Releases Request for Proposals for Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicle

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July 16, 2019 – The Navy released a request for proposals (RFP) to industry for the development of the Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MUSV), July 16. The MUSV will be a pier-launched, self-deploying modular, open architecture surface vehicle capable of autonomous navigation and mission execution. The development RFP contains options for additional USVs. A full and open competitive procurement will take place in fiscal year (FY) 2019. Accelerating Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) and payload development and warfighting integration will provide an inflection point in delivering a more distributed force in…

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L3 Strengthens Unmanned Maritime Capabilities With Acquisition of ASV Global

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September 24, 2018 – L3 Technologies announced today that it acquired ASV Global, LLC, a leading unmanned surface vessel (USV) and autonomous vessel control systems company on September 20. This acquisition strategically enhances L3’s full spectrum of unmanned maritime capabilities, including integrated anti-submarine warfare (ASW) solutions, future surface combatant unmanned off-board sensors, and integrated unmanned surface and undersea vessel (USV/UUV) operations. The new company will be known as L3 ASV. “Autonomous capabilities for surface ships and undersea vessels are top priorities for our naval and commercial maritime customers, and we are…

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Metal Shark and ASV Global Introduce Sharktech Autonomous Vessels

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Louisiana, USA-based shipbuilder Metal Shark has joined forces with autonomous vessel technology developer ASV Global to introduce “Sharktech” Autonomous Vessels. “Depending on propulsion and desired equipment, we can currently deliver a fully-autonomous Sharktech-equipped 38 Defiant in as little as 60 days” Metal Shark is now offering Sharktech autonomous technology on its entire portfolio of vessels, which range from 16’ to over 300’ in aluminum, steel, and composite. Sharktech autonomous vessels may be custom configured for military, law enforcement, fire rescue, and the full spectrum of applicable commercial markets. “The industry…

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Unmanned vessels alter sea battles

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China has earned a reputation in the research and development of unmanned vehicles, ranging from aerial combat drones to robotic pack mules capable of combat as well as carrying cargo. Now, Chinese engineers have started eyeing unmanned surface vessels, typically small boats that can be remotely controlled or operate autonomously. Oceanalph, a maker of unmanned surface vessels in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, recently staged a technological demonstration involving 56 miniature unmanned boats off the Wanshan Archipelago in the South China Sea. The test, including formation maneuvers and a task assignment, was…

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Royal Navy gets first unmanned minesweeping system

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An autonomous minesweeper system that can safely clear sea lanes of mines has been handed over to the Royal Navy, Defence Minister Guto Bebb announced. Following a period of successful trials the demonstrator system could go on to be used by the Royal Navy in the future to defeat the threat of modern digital mines. The system has been designed and manufactured by Atlas Elektronik UK in Dorset, under a £13 million contract with the Ministry of Defence which has sustained around 20 jobs and created 15 new jobs with…

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‘Realm of the Possible’ Revealed by Multi-Mission Unmanned Surface Vehicle

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An unmanned surface vehicle suddenly appeared on the Potomac River Test Range and, much like the ospreys that inhabit the area, it was on a mission to traverse the river – autonomously. Nearby, an osprey watched the unusual sight from its nest as an array of autonomous guns and missile systems were lined up on a pier. Distinguished visitors gathered on that pier to see the sight – a demonstration of Textron Systems’ Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle (CUSV). They listened intently as Navy and corporate leaders discussed their collaboration to…

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Advanced Naval Technology Exercise provided venue for rapid prototyping, fleet engagement

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From Aug. 15-16, the Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX) 2017 Battlespace Preparation in a Contested Environment (BPCE) took place at both the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, partnering with fleet operators from Submarine Development Squadron Five from Keyport, Washington, and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit One in Panama City, Fla. The multi-site event featured live exercises of tasks above and below the water including bordering shorelines and welcomed more than 700 attendees who observed 50 unmanned systems in action…

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