Sea Drone Warfare has Arrived, and the US is Floundering
on how many drones it has in operation."Ukraine has shown how effective they can be and how they can be employed in current operations," Clark said. "The U.S. Navy needs to embrace that lesson and field combat (sea drones) right away."The Navy's 5th fleet, which operates out of Bahrain, has been testing unmanned vessels for three years, led by its Task Force 59 unit.The project has deployed surveillance drones built by private firms, including startups, as well as those backed by defense heavyweights like Lockheed Martin and HII."The situation in the Red Sea gives the work
Elcome, Miros Ink Distribution Deal
with Miros AS, the Norway-headquartered wave, current and oil spill monitoring specialist.The partnership expands the distribution of Miros’ comprehensive range of sea state sensor and measurement solutions to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, namely UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.Miros’ portfolio of sea state measurement solutions provides accurate, real-time data for weather-sensitive operations at sea, as well as offering input to asset integrity systems and coastal monitoring. Its dry-mounted, radar-based sensors provide maritime and offshore operatives
US Navy Sends a USV Through the Strait of Hormuz
USV.The Navy' 5th Fleet in September 2021 established Task Force 59 to integrate unmanned systems and artificial intelligence into regional maritime operations. Since its launch, the unit has deployed a suite of new uncrewed systems, including surface and aerial, from operational hubs in Jordan and Bahrain.“We are on the cutting-edge of integrating advanced unmanned technology into our maritime patrols. Our crews are excited to help lead these efforts with our Navy counterparts,” said Lt. Cmdr. Stephen Hills, Charles Moulthrope’s commanding officer.The 5th Fleet is leading regional
DriX USV Takes Part in Middle East Naval Exercise
Following the success of the Digital Horizon 22 Unmanned & Artificial Intelligence Exercise organized by the U.S. Navy in Bahrain, Exail Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), DriX, was selected by the 5th fleet’s task force 59 to take part in the two-week 2023 International Maritime Exercise (IMX 23), that will be held in Bahrain and Jordan from March 5 to 16.Middle East region’s largest naval exercise, IMX23 is a multinational event involving more than 50 partner-nations and international organizations operating in the Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, Indian Ocean and
DriX USV Takes Part in Military Exercise in Bahrain
Exail, formerly iXblue, recently took part in the Digital Horizon Unmanned & Artificial Intelligence Exercise in Bahrain, organized by the US Navy. The U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet held the three-week exercise in December to test new unmanned technologies, as part of its plans to establish the world’s first Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) fleet of one hundred drones in the Gulf by the end of the summer.The current geopolitical situation means that manned assets are in increasing demand elsewhere, leading the Navy to look to the latest unmanned technologies to expand its capabilities. Vice Adm.
US Kicks Off Unmanned & AI Systems Integration Event in Bahrain
U.S. 5th Fleet began a three-week unmanned and artificial intelligence integration event in Bahrain, Nov. 23, that will involve employing new platforms in the region for the first time.The event, called Digital Horizon, will advance the command’s efforts to integrate new unmanned technologies while establishing the world’s first unmanned surface vessel fleet by end of next summer. U.S. 5th Fleet’s efforts are focused on improving what U.S. and regional navies are able to see above, on and below the water.“I am excited about the direction we are headed,” said Vice Adm.
Iran Caught Trying to Capture US Navy Sea Drone
Corps Navy (IRGCN) support ship Shahid Baziar towing a Saildrone Explorer USV in an attempt to detain it. U.S. Navy patrol coastal ship USS Thunderbolt (PC 12) was operating nearby and immediately responded. U.S. 5th Fleet also launched an MH-60S Sea Hawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26, based in Bahrain.The actions taken by U.S. naval forces in response resulted in the IRGCN vessel disconnecting the towing line to the USV and departing the area approximately four hours later. The U.S. Navy resumed operations without further incident.“IRGCN’s actions were flagrant, unwarranted and inconsisten
Navy Establishing Unmanned Surface Vessel Fleet for Persistent ISR in Middle East
“We're not tinkering. We're building enhanced maritime domain awareness.”The U.S. Navy’s Task Force 59, based in Bahrain as part of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and U.S. Fifth Fleet, is advancing the operational employment and integration of unmanned systems and artificial intelligence in fleet operations.According to Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the fleet commander, unmanned systems and artificial intelligence are helping to accelerate innovation, especially in such a vast area of responsibility (AOR)“It's 5,000 miles from the Suez Canal all the way
Autonomy: Sun, Sail & Subsea – Not a Holiday, but a Hybrid UxV Platform
. “We’d typically recommend bringing them in every 90 days for routine maintenance and get marine growth off of it,” he says. “Underwater, it can last days, depending on the payload, and up to eight days in ‘dark mode’.”Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, center, during IMX 2022. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Mark Thomas MahmodAn idea developed in San DiegoThe concept dates back to 2012, when Ocean Aero’s founders got together in San Diego, California. Their first generation vehicle caught the eye of Teledyne,
February 2025
