Sea Drone Warfare has Arrived, and the US is Floundering
from the existing Pentagon budget.As part of the initiative, the Pentagon in January issued a solicitation for private companies to deliver small sea drones to the Navy, demanding production capacity of 120 vessels per year, with deployment beginning in April 2025.Duane Fotheringham, president of unmanned systems at Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), the largest U.S. military shipbuilder, acknowledged the Pentagon and Navy had shown their "intent" to accelerate the deployment of sea drones but he said the industry wanted to see long-term funding in the defense budget."We hear the demand
HII Scoops Order for Remus 620 UUV from International Client
and long-range operations. Its adaptability to a wide range of missions, from oceanographic research to defense operations, showcases the innovative spirit of our team and the advanced capabilities of our technology,” said Duane Fotheringham, president of Mission Technologies’ Unmanned Systems business group.To remind, HII Mission Technologies unveiled REMUS 130, a new UUV model based on the highly successful HII REMUS series, at the Oceanology International 2024 conference and exhibition earlier this week.HII Mission Technologies Unveils New REMUS 130 UU
"AI is the Game Changer"
is also pursuing a prime contract to build the Large Unmanned Surface Vessels (LUSV).Drones and autonomy are a key piece of the US Navy’s future requirements, and Austal USA Advanced Technologies is poised to bring additive manufacturing capabilities to the rapid production and deployment of unmanned systems to meet that need. We must to be ready to scale up using additive manufacturing production capabilities for small and medium vessels. In the future, we will be in a position to print small sized vessels, but currently our focus is the submarine industrial base.What tech do you see in the formative
Maritime Robotics and Teledyne Marine Equip Ukrainian Navy with USVs
use by the Ukrainian Navy.According to the company, the USV enables critical data collection, without endangering human lives, as the sensors are carried by an unmanned vehicle. This allows for comprehensive and accurate information about specific marine areas. Data and information collected by the unmanned systems are used to strengthen Ukraine's defense, enhance maritime traffic security, and support the safety of the civilian population in the areas, the company siad."We are proud to offer solutions that improve the safety of civilians in Ukraine while supporting the Ukrainian Navy. Our technologies
VideoRay Acquires Blue Ring Imaging
VideoRay has acquired Blue Ring Imaging, a St. Petersburg, FL-based innovator in 3D visualization, multi-view perception, and simulation for unmanned systems.Blue Ring Imaging, known for its OctoView mixed reality software and OctoCAM multi-view 360°camera, will improve situational awareness and object detection capabilities of VideoRay's Defender. Blue Ring Imaging already boasts an impressive client list, including the US Navy’s PMS 408, Office of Naval Research (ONR), Navy RDSA, OceanX, and Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI).The acquisition of Blue Ring Imaging will
US Navy Orders Up to 200 UUVs from HII for $347 Million
; said Andy Green, executive vice president of HII and president of Mission Technologies.“We are pleased with the Navy’s decision to support a combat-proven technology, essential to the Navy’s undersea mission,” said Duane Fotheringham, president of Mission Technologies’ Unmanned Systems business group. “Our team is committed to delivering fully capable vehicles that will enhance the effectiveness of the warfighter against emerging threats.”The Lionfish System was developed through an innovative process with the Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit
VideoRay Bolsters Subsea Mine Detection Robot with Blue Ring Imaging Acquisition
VideoRay, the producer of the Mission Specialist Defender robot recently selected by the US Navy for underwater mine detection and disposal, said Wednesday it had acquired Blue Ring Imaging, a St. Petersburg, Florida-based innovator in 3D visualization, multi-view perception, and simulation for unmanned systems.According to VideoRay, Blue Ring Imaging, known for its OctoView mixed reality software and OctoCAM multi-view 360°camera, will improve situational awareness and object detection capabilities of the Defender. "Blue Ring Imaging already boasts an impressive client list, including
US Navy Deploys a Fleet of Saildrones to the Caribbean
of unmanned and manned forces working together, also known as a hybrid fleet, as envisioned by the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations. Windward Stack is part of 4th Fleet’s unmanned integration campaign, which provides the Navy a region to experiment with and operate unmanned systems in a permissive environment, develop Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) against near-peer competitors, and refine manned and unmanned Command and Control (C2) infrastructure, all designed to move the Navy to the hybrid fleet.First, operators and watchstanders at U.S. 4th Fleet will conduct
Unmanned Maritime Systems Development Accelerates
There is little question that world militaries see the value of unmanned systems to complement their manned counterparts. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan accelerated the development of unmanned aerial systems and unmanned ground systems to meet urgent operational needs. Now, there is increasing interest in unmanned surface systems, resulting in their placement on an accelerated development path.Like their air and ground counterparts, these unmanned surface systems are valued because of their ability to reduce the risk to human life in high threat areas, to deliver persistent surveillance over areas
February 2024
