The US Navy resumed procedures to finance the development of unmanned surface ships

The US Navy is closely monitoring the expansion of a key contract to study and develop new equipment and technologies for its future fleet of unmanned surface vehicles. They have been trying to achieve this goal for more than a year now. This project is not only useful for the US Navy, but also gives the industry the opportunity to get direct access to the research and development work done, let's say, in the bowels of the department itself.

In a public notice, the US Navy said it plans to re-engage with companies interested in equipping their USVs with various smart technologies. This was first announced in February 2020.

Also in 2020, 40 vendors were selected for an open-ended contract with an unlimited number of specifications. The contracts, called IDIQ-MACs, allow US authorities to create isolated markets by selecting a group of companies capable of performing a similar set of tasks. The selected vendors then compete directly with each other for the work associated with that contract.

Orders to date include various design studies and work to integrate combat systems with ships, as well as efforts to develop and expand payloads. Currently, the Navy is also conducting various activities to support unmanned technology, and planning for other efforts to develop them is ongoing.

- dryly stated in the notice on the official website of the US Navy.

In addition, the contract includes measures to develop technologies focused on autonomous systems and control systems for surface unmanned ships, elements of the coastal and base platforms, as well as logistics and support. All commercial offers and preliminary projects must be received by the customer no later than December 19th.

The resumption of the procedure for financing the project of unmanned ships in the United States fell at the end of the year not by chance. This comes at a time when the Navy has made some headway in advancing the foundations of its future unmanned aircraft. fleetfrom the start of exercises in the Middle East to the commissioning of one of its flagship research vessels, the Mariner. Well, the development of the 800 billionth military budget obviously plays an important role here.

Comments

[rocket757]

Well, the development of the 800 billionth military budget obviously plays an important role here.

. Mastering the budget, this is understandable ... but the technology of unmanned reconnaissance, for monitoring the coastal zone, does not look like something meaningless.
It will not be superfluous to check technologies in real conditions.

[Bingo]

Quote: rocket757

but, the technology of unmanned reconnaissance

Well, these are rather patrol boats, not scouts, and that's just the idea of ​​unmanned patrols is in doubt. How do they imagine, for example, an unmanned inspection of a possible violating vessel?
In general, a country with an unmanned president should be interested in something like this

[rocket757]

Who knows what will come out of it ... in time everything will be clear.

[Zadok]

so build the UAV and let them drive. fell .. well, a little expensive, but not like a steamer. I still poorly understand how a ship is possible without people. torpedoes, "geraniums" - they are disposable. cars with autopilot - so in any case, a person is nearby. and the steamer? swam away and dosvidos

[_simply]

Floating drones are, of course, good ... If they are controlled from the "mother" ship.

[tralflot1832]

Does a sea drone have the right to self-defense? A couple of competent captains will be able to drown it due to non-compliance with the rules of good sea practice ?!

[kgbers]

I think that domestic developers of electronic warfare equipment will master a new direction.