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Task Force 59

Nov. 5, 2024 — An unmanned surface vessel, equipped with an aerial missile system, sails to its position for launch during exercise Digital Talon 3.0 in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Photo by Spc. Karla Guerrero)

Navy plying new tactics while pairing kamikaze drones with robo-ships

The latest Digital Talon exercise, conducting earlier this month in the Middle East region, included a variety of robotic capabilities that could play a significant role in…
Commercial operators deploy Saildrone Voyager Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) out to sea in the initial steps of U.S. 4th Fleet’s Operation Windward Stack during a launch from Naval Air Station Key West’s Mole Pier and Truman Harbor, Sept. 13, 2023. (U.S. Navy photo by Danette Baso Silvers/Released)

Navy’s 4th Fleet sets sights on command center upgrades for drone ops

"We have the robots and we’re making lots of progress there, but in terms of what we have at the headquarters and how we actually manage the…
KITTERY, ME. Nov. 17, 2022, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard: Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti meets with leadership at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard during a visit which included briefs on the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program and Naval Sustainment System – Shipyards. (U.S. Navy photo by Jim Cleveland/Released).

New Navy CNO eyes unmanned systems, disruptive tech to augment force

“We will put more players on the field, which means ready players,” Adm. Lisa Franchetti said during her keynote speech at the Surface Navy Association’s annual symposium.
A MANTAS T-12 unmanned surface vessel (USV), front, operates alongside Royal Bahrain Naval Force fast-attack craft RBNS Abdul Rahman Al-fadel during exercise New Horizon in the Arabian Gulf, Oct. 26, 2021. Exercise New Horizon was U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Task Force 59’s first at-sea evolution since its establishment Sept. 9, 2021. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dawson Roth)

Tech from Navy’s drone task force could support Operation Prosperity Guardian

Task Force 59’s contribution "provides some interesting highlights" about the unit's progress, a senior U.S. Central Command official told DefenseScoop.
A Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile System launches munitions from a MARTAC T-38 Devil Ray unmanned surface vehicle, attached to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s Task Force 59, during Exercise Digital Talon in the Arabian Gulf, Oct. 23. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Justin Stumberg)

Robo-ship from US Navy task force launches missiles in Middle East region

A USV operated by Task Force 59 successfully attacked a target boat with a “Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile System” during an exercise last week, according to U.S.…
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Two unmanned surface vessels, a Devil Ray T-38 and Saildrone Explorer, operate in the Gulf of Aqaba, Sept. 10, during Eager Lion 2022. (U.S. Navy photo)

Navy to expand unmanned systems campaign to 4th Fleet this summer

A new Navy effort to integrate unmanned systems into 4th Fleet in Central and South America will kick off in July, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro announced.
A Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessel operates in the Arabian Gulf, Nov. 29, during Digital Horizon 2022. The three-week unmanned and artificial intelligence integration event involves employing new platforms in the region for the first time. (U.S. photo by Sgt. Brandon Murphy)

Deploying contractor-owned robotic vessels could be a fruitful long-term option for the Navy, Secretary Del Toro says

During an interview with DefenseScoop, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said contractor-owned drones could help the sea service overcome acquisition challenges and keep pace with technological change.
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