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combat USVs later. While HD HHI
a top speed of 27 knots. Okhan
has a cruising range of 270 nautical
miles at 27 knots and 400 nautical
miles at 20 knots. The operational
range of the vessel is 27 km with
line-of-sight communication and
over 200 km when utilizing satellite
communication (SATCOM). Among
the other USVs to come out of
Turkey are the Ulaq USV from Ares
Shipyard and Meteksan, Marlin
by Sefine Shipyard and Aselsan,
Sancar by Yonca Shipyard and
Aselsan, Salvo USV by Dearsan,
and Albatros-S by Aselsan.
MMCM Programme
France and the UK have joined
hands for the UK-France Maritime
Mine Counter Measures (MMCM)
programme that will provide the
two navies with autonomous
mine hunting capability. As part of
the program, two pre-production
Uncrewed Surface Vessels were
delivered to the Royal Navy and
Marine nationale (French Navy) in
December 2021. In June last year,
Thales revealed that USV Royal
Navy Motorboat (RNMB) Apollo had
completed a series of Royal Navy
and industry open water assurance
trials. Full operating capability of
the USV is expected later this year.
The Royal Navy is also seeking an
Uncrewed Surface and Subsurface
Vessel (USSV) prototype for mari-
time surveillance, reconnaissance,
ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY
will develop high-performance hulls
for the USV and be in charge of the
integration of advanced equipment,
its autonomous navigation subsidi-
ary Avikus will provide autonomous
navigation software and integrate
Palantir’s Mission Autonomy
technology. Current USVs face
challenges in rough conditions, HD
HHI and Palantir will leverage their
accumulated autonomous navi-
gation technology and advanced
defence AI to develop USVs that
can perform even in challenging
and adverse conditions.
electronic warfare, strike missions, Small and Micro USVs
and supply of cargo.
With interest in USV swarms spik-
Partnerships Galore ing, companies are working on the
development of small and micro
The growing demand for USVs USVs. Maritime Tactical Systems
has spurred an increase in col- (MARTAC) has unveiled the Muskie
laborations between companies M18 (M18) ASV, an 18 foot (5.5m)
with complementary strengths. In low-cost, attritable system for use
April, U.S.-based Saildrone and during one-way missions. The M18
Thales Australia, a division of is a monohull ASV capable of burst
France-based Thales Group, have speeds of 50+ kts, open ocean
come together to equip Saildrone’s cruising ranges up to 500 nautical
Surveyor USVs with Thales’ miles, and a payload capacity up
BlueSentry towed arrays that can to 1000 pounds (450 kg). The USV
detect and classify craft on or below can be used in large numbers as
the waves. Meanwhile, Saildrone a swarm, thus providing added
and Austal have signed a Teaming aggression.
Agreement to manufacture the
Surveyor, in Australia, for deploy- At Sea Air Space 2024, U.S.-based
ments in the Indo-Pacific region. boat builder Metal Shark unveiled
The Surveyor, Saildrone’ largest “Frenzy,” a high-performance,
class of uncrewed surface vehicles low-cost, amphibious micro-USV
(USVs), is designed for deep ocean with a payload carrying capacity of
mapping and intelligence, surveil- up to 14 lbs, as well as “Prowler,”
lance, and reconnaissance (ISR) an autonomous, amphibious,
applications above and below the semi-submersible USV. Prowler,
surface. which combines autonomous,
amphibious, and semi-submersible
South Korean shipbuilder HD capabilities with the performance
Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD and seakeeping characteristics of a
HHI) is collaborating with American slender deep-vee monohull surface
Palantir Technologies to develop craft, has been designed to address
USVs; the two companies signed a operational challenges identified
memorandum of understand (MoU) by the United States Navy and
in Washington D.C. last month. Marine Corps. The USV is capable
The goal is to target the US and of self-launch and self-recovery at
Korean markets by developing a boat ramps, without a prime mover
or trailer, or from the well deck of an
reconnaissance USV by 2026, and amphibious ship..
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