The Ghost Fleet Overlord Experimental Squad has been replenished with a new unmanned vessel USV Mariner
USV Mariner after launch, August 23, 2022
The US Navy and contractors continue to implement the Ghost Fleet Overlord pilot program, aimed at creating and testing new technologies in the field of unmanned surface ships and vessels. To carry out the necessary research, experimental vessels with a special set of equipment and specific capabilities are being built. At the end of August, the third such vessel, USV Mariner, was launched. In the near future he will go to sea and take part in the tests.
Third in a series
The development of the Ghost Fleet Overlord program began in the second half of the tenth years at the initiative of the US Navy Unmanned Systems Command. By the end of the decade, the companies participating in the program received orders to build experimental unmanned vessels for testing. The first results of construction appeared last year. The customer received two vessels, USV Ranger and USV Nomad, designed and built by Leidos and Gulf Craft.
According to a similar project, the USV Mariner was built from the end of the 23s, but work on it was completed only recently. The solemn ceremony of christening and launching the vessel took place on August XNUMX this year in Annapolis (Maryland), where the US Naval Academy is located.
As reported, in the near future the ship will complete the installation of the remaining systems and carry out the necessary mooring tests. The timing of such work is not specified. Then the Mariner will go on sea trials, in which it will have to confirm the main characteristics, as well as demonstrate the operation of key systems.
At the next stage, the new ship will join the other two. Unmanned flotilla will participate in various tests and experiments. It is planned to work out the independent and group work of such pennants in solving a wide range of tasks, from simple driving to the use of weapons. The first experiments of this kind took place last year, and now the Navy has new opportunities associated with an increased number of experimental vessels.
Ships "Ranger" and "Nomad"
Next year, the GFO squad will include another unmanned vessel, the USV Vanguard. It was laid down last year and is being built according to a different project from L3Harris and Austal USA. Having received such a vessel, the Navy will be able to compare different projects and solutions and choose the most successful ones. In addition, the interaction of ships with different control systems will be worked out.
On a ready basis
Due to the experimental nature of the GFO project, outstanding technical performance is not required from test vessels. At the same time, they should be built as soon as possible and at no extra cost. In this regard, Leidos and Gulf Craft completed their project based on a ready-made platform.
The basis for the "Ranger", "Nomad" and "Mariner" was one of the serial support vessels being built at the Gulf Craft plant. This boat is approx. 60 m with a deckhouse shifted to the bow and a large cargo deck. The energy system is based on diesel engines of adequate power. It provides both propulsion and power generation for the new controls and payload.
Jobs have been saved in the wheelhouse, but the presence of a crew on board the vessel is not mandatory. Sailors are replaced by an automatic control system developed by Leidos. It includes various radio engineering and optical means of lighting the situation, navigation systems, computer equipment, etc.
The control system can work completely independently, according to a programmed program, or execute commands from an operator located at a remote control point. The functions of automatic driving of the vessel, application of the target load, etc. are provided. Group use of several ships is also possible. In this case, control systems must exchange data and solve tasks together.
USV Ranger with container launcher, 2021
The vessel from Leidos and Gulf Craft is capable of carrying a variety of payloads. When solving transport problems, several standard containers are placed on the deck. In reconnaissance or combat configuration, the vessel can receive appropriate instruments and weapon, incl. in container form.
At the beginning of September 2021, the USV Ranger showed one of the methods of combat use. As part of the tests, a container with a unified missile launcher was placed on its deck. An SM-6 anti-aircraft missile was placed on the installation. In automatic mode, the "Ranger" went to a given area, after which, at the command of the operator, it launched.
This test showed the fundamental possibility of turning GFO ships into carriers of guided missile weapons. At the same time, the use of a unified launcher allows the use of a wide range of ammunition in service with US Navy surface ships.
Reserve for the future
The Ghost Fleet Overlord program provides for the construction and testing of several unmanned ships. Such equipment will participate in various events and demonstrate its capabilities. In addition, during the tests they plan to identify and correct the shortcomings in the two proposed projects.
At the same time, the GFO program is exclusively of a research nature. Four ships will retain the status of experimental, and they will not be transferred to the combat fleet. However, based on the results of the GFO, it is planned to create new projects for unmanned vessels, ships and boats for various purposes. These pennants will go into service and strengthen the existing Navy.
SM-6 rocket launch
The results of the GFO program have not yet been determined, but the US Navy is already making bold plans. So, in the distant future, crewless ships will be able to reach large-scale production and become one of the main components of the surface fleet. Depending on the situation, they will be able to complement full-fledged warships or replace them.
At the end of July, the US Navy released a new Chief of Naval Operations Navigation Plan 2022. According to this document, now the fleet has approx. 300 warships and support vessels. In connection with the existing and expected challenges and threats, the Navy must increase its surface forces. By 2045, the fleet should already have 523 pennants.
It is noted that only 373 surface units will have a crew. The remaining 150 units. will be unmanned. This means that automated ships will account for almost a third of the total surface forces. It is expected that this way of developing the IUD will provide both quantitative and qualitative advantages.
Building 150 crewless ships is quite a challenge, even if it takes more than 20 years. To fulfill such plans, advanced technologies and solutions are needed. They are now being created as part of the GFO program and a number of other projects. Accordingly, the implementation of the bold plans of the command depends on the success of the new vessel USV Mariner and other experimental pennants.
New step
The Pentagon is showing great interest in unmanned and unmanned technologies, incl. in the maritime field. Various samples of this kind are being developed and tested. In the distant future, such experiments should lead to the formation of a fairly large crewless fleet.
The next step in this direction was the launch of the new experimental vessel USV Mariner. In the near future, it will be tested and participate in experiments, independently and together with other Ghost Fleet Overlord ships. What will be the results of these activities is not yet clear. But it is clear that the US Navy will do everything possible to successfully complete them and create the necessary new technologies.
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