US Navy Large Unmanned Surface Vehicle

I think I've mentioned this type of naval program on ATS before. but things are now seemingly coming into the light. The Navy id looking to buy 10 such vessels in the next 5 years. This is transformational warfare- the Navy is developing multiple technologies to not only extend it's reach, but also to throw a harder punch.

This project is, essentially an unmanned and autonomous corvette. It can be loaded with multiple types of weapons, either to undertake dangerous missions without putting an expensive DDG-51 at risk, or they can be loaded up as a magazine for the 51's or remaining Tico's. This would allow the larger manned ships to quarterback, much in the same way as an F-35 can.


This is an amazing way for the Navy to reach it's 335 ship goal, while still controlling costs and developing new technologies.

Large Unmanned Surface Vessel

Couldn’t a ship like this be boarded and ransacked or worse taken over?

a reply to: Metallicus


It'll be operated as part of a large battle group. So, in the future, you might see something like A CVN being escorted by TICO or its replacement, 2 or three 51's a couple of the new frigates and several of these unmanned ships. So, in theory, they would be protected. Great point, though.

originally posted by: Metallicus
Couldn’t a ship like this be boarded and ransacked or worse taken over?

yahh.. but

originally posted by: Metallicus
Couldn’t a ship like this be boarded and ransacked or worse taken over?

Not if they load it with poison snakes and spiders, and nerve gas

One of the problems in a few countries is staffing, Australia struggles with submariners and UK to fill it’s ships, so for example the new UK QE class carriers do more with less.

Aside from a few weapon systems I think automation will organically grow, will it get to the point of large unmanned vehicles, probably one day, but not any day we would see!

originally posted by: Forensick
One of the problems in a few countries is staffing, Australia struggles with submariners and UK to fill it’s ships, so for example the new UK QE class carriers do more with less.

Aside from a few weapon systems I think automation will organically grow, will it get to the point of large unmanned vehicles, probably one day, but not any day we would see!

On the contrary, it is happening now in unmanned aviation and submersibles. I would expect it to follow the asymptotic curve of technology, where we are probably looking at 10-20 years before they are more prevalent than present manned commercial shipping as well as warships.

originally posted by: Metallicus
Couldn’t a ship like this be boarded and ransacked or worse taken over?

This was my first reaction to unmanned/large surface ships.

That said, there’s myriad ways it could be protected from stealth to counter measures inside/outside, etc.

This is a real consideration for sure but we wouldn’t be going down this path if we hadn’t figured out how to protect/secure it.

They would be great for any potential south China sea conflict

originally posted by: TritonTaranis
They would be great for any potential south China sea conflict

There is no possible scenerio where "great" would be an accurate description for such a conflict.

It would surely ruin the economies of several nations, not to mention the fact that it could lead to the death of many thousands.

a reply to: visitedbythem

Haha that made me laugh good.. thanks for the smiles.

a reply to: EnigmaChaser

Be nice to use this application for deep water study of our oceans instead of military application.

originally posted by: MarlbBlack
a reply to: EnigmaChaser

Be nice to use this application for deep water study of our oceans instead of military application.

I’d like to see both.

Military conflict will likely be part of our lives for as long as anyone posting here today is around. I don’t see the need for military conflict or want that to be the case but it probably is the case - it’s just a reality of the current state of human evolution. If that’s true, at least “war” can be turned into Battle Bots on a massive scale as opposed to lots of humans being killed on both sides.

That said, we don’t really know squat about our oceans so having surface drones out there collecting data 24/7/365 would be pretty awesome from the scientific/curiosity standpoint.

Maybe we’ll get both someday.

a reply to: EnigmaChaser

Here's a cool thing. It uses ocean swells for propulsion. Can stay "on station" or navigate as programed. Carries any sensor suite you can think of.

originally posted by: visitedbythem

originally posted by: Metallicus
Couldn’t a ship like this be boarded and ransacked or worse taken over?

Not if they load it with poison snakes and spiders, and nerve gas

Would be so awesome if something like that turned out to be the defense against boarding/takeover!

I would imagine, realistically, you would need a fair amount of unmolested time with a crew on board in order to take over the systems. By then, if not taken back, it would be killed by the ships in the group (or the previously intimated self-destruct mechanism.)

originally posted by: Mach2

originally posted by: TritonTaranis
They would be great for any potential south China sea conflict

There is no possible scenerio where "great" would be an accurate description for such a conflict.

It would surely ruin the economies of several nations, not to mention the fact that it could lead to the death of many thousands.

True, but he wasn't referring to conflict being great, but rather, to the "autuonomous" corvette being great for use in such a conflict, if one were to occur.

This subject is now on Drudge above the main headline - there’s some interest on this subject.

a reply to: EnigmaChaser


There should be- this is transformative. Think of it like this. A 400 ship US Navy, including the large unmanned vessels. They are all Tomahawk, LRASM or standard magazines, all networked together. The missiles can be directed by any number of platforms including F-35's or Aegis. This will not only be a game changer for the US, but our near peer competitors are no where near this level of sophistication. To top it off- they are going to be cheaper that the new frigates or large hulls. They also breath new life into the airwing- the sensors we deploy by air and their protectors will need a Carrier Airwing. This may be the dawn or a new era in naval warfare.

originally posted by: Mach2

originally posted by: TritonTaranis
They would be great for any potential south China sea conflict

There is no possible scenerio where "great" would be an accurate description for such a conflict.

It would surely ruin the economies of several nations, not to mention the fact that it could lead to the death of many thousands.

You must be French

a reply to: visitedbythem

Not if they load it with poison snakes and spiders, and nerve gas


I like the way you think I just don't you as a neighbor!!