unmanned surface vessel Archives

The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6) sails in the Gulf of Thailand, May 7, 2022.. The Navy is currently studying whether LCS could serve as mother ships for unmanned systems. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Alexandra Green)

Mother ships for drones will be ‘extremely important’ for the Navy’s future fleet, Secretary Del Toro says

The Navy is looking at options to meet that need.

Feb 22, 2023 By Jon Harper

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.

Feb 1, 2023 By Jon Harper

Rear Adm. Wikoff tapped to command Navy’s 5th Fleet, which oversees unmanned task force

If confirmed, Wikoff's assignments would connect him to Task Force 59, which is developing a “mesh network” of unmanned surface vessels and other assets enabled by artificial…

Jan 27, 2023 By Jon Harper

Sea Hunter, an autonomous unmanned surface vehicle, arrives at Pearl Harbor to participate in the Rim of Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aiko Bongolan)

Navy keen on containerized payloads to maintain flexibility for possible medium unmanned vessels

The Navy has been experimenting with a variety of unmanned surface vessels and payloads.

Jan 13, 2023 By Jon Harper

A Marine Advanced Robotics WAM-V unmanned surface vessel operates in the Arabian Gulf, Nov. 29, during Digital Horizon 2022. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Murphy)

5th Fleet commander reveals ‘takeaways’ from recent exercise with AI-enabled drones

During its first-ever Digital Horizon event, the Navy's Task Force 59 brought together 17 commercial partners and applied 15 advanced unmanned data integration and AI systems.

Jan 12, 2023 By Brandi Vincent

Various unmanned systems sit on display in Manama, Bahrain, Nov. 19, prior to exercise Digital Horizon 2022. The three-week unmanned and artificial intelligence integration event, beginning Nov. 23, will involve employing new platforms in the region for the first time. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Murphy)

Navy looking to add vendors to $982M IDIQ contract vehicle for unmanned systems tech

The Navy released an RFI to gauge companies’ interest in pursuing access to the IDIQ-MAC pool of awardees for the Unmanned Surface Vehicle/Vessel Family of Systems.

Nov 28, 2022 By Jon Harper

Members from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 11 prepare the MK 18 MOD 2 Kingfish to be deployed during Exercise Noble Vanguard. The Kingfish is an unmanned underwater vehicle with the sonar capabilities to scan the ocean floor for potential mines. Noble Vanguard serves as an enabler to reinforce tactics and techniques of different mission sets that contribute to regional stability. (U.S. Navy Photo by Ensign James French)

Navy issues RFI for unmanned ‘mother ship’ that could deploy other drones

The Navy is exploring a Attritable UxS Mother Ship concept as it looks for a way to cost-effectively deliver large numbers of unmanned systems, or UxS, to…

Nov 3, 2022 By Jon Harper

A Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessel and Egyptian Navy frigate ENS Alexandria (F911) operate in the Red Sea in support of the newly established Combined Task Force 153, April 21, 2022. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. DeAndre Dawkins)

Navy developing new mesh network of robo-ships enabled by sensors, AI and the cloud

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command is creating a “mesh network” of unmanned surface vessels that can transmit ISR data via the cloud.

Oct 13, 2022 By Jon Harper

A Seahawk medium displacement unmanned surface vessel participates in U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Unmanned Systems Integrated Battle Problem (UxS IBP) 21, April 21. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon Renfroe)

Navy working to prevent unmanned shipbuilders from monopolizing software integration

The sea service is also keeping an eye on industry to try to prevent shipbuilders from having too much influence over the software and AI integration market…

Sep 14, 2022 By Jon Harper

The medium displacement unmanned surface vessels Seahawk, front, and Sea Hunter launch for the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Unmanned Systems Integrated Battle Problem 21 (UxS IBP 21), April 20. UxS IBP 21 integrates manned and unmanned capabilities into operational scenarios to generate warfighting advantages. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Thomas Gooley)

Navy grappling with the future of its unmanned fleet

The Navy's new shipbuilding plan and statements by senior officials indicate that the future of the unmanned fleet remains murky.

May 16, 2022 By Jon Harper