Sea Hunter

Last updated

Sea Hunter
USV Sea Hunter - RIMPAC 2022 Fleet Sails in Formation.jpg
Sea Hunter under way in RIMPAC 2022 exercises
History
Flag of the United States.svgUnited States
NameSea Hunter
Builder Leidos
AcquiredApril 2016
Identification MMSI number: 369970970
Statusin service [1]
General characteristics
Type Unmanned surface vehicle
Displacement135 tons (standard) 145 tons (full load)
Length132 ft (40 m)
Propulsion2x Diesel engines
Speed27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph)
Range10,000 nautical miles (12,000 mi; 19,000 km)
Endurance30–90 day without supply
ComplementNone
ArmamentNone

Sea Hunter is an autonomous unmanned surface vehicle (USV) launched in 2016 as part of the DARPA Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) program. [2] The ship was christened 7 April 2016 in Portland, Oregon. It was designed and built by Leidos. [3] The vessel continues the line of experimental "Sea" ships, including Sea Shadow , Sea Fighter , Sea Jet , and Sea Slice . [4] Sea Hunter is classified as a Class III USV and designated the Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MDUSV). [5]

Contents

Description

The initially unarmed prototype, built at a cost of $20 million, is a 132-foot (40 meter)-long trimaran (a central hull with two outriggers). It is an unmanned self-piloting craft with twin screws, powered by two diesel engines with a top speed of 27 knots (31 mph; 50 km/h). Her weight is 135 tons, including 40 tons of fuel, adequate for a 70-day cruise. Cruising range is "transoceanic," [6] 10,000 nautical miles (12,000 mi; 19,000 km) at 12 knots (14 mph; 22 km/h) [7] fully fueled with 14,000 U.S. gallons (53,000 L) of diesel, enough "to go from San Diego to Guam and back to Pearl Harbor on a tank of gas." [8] Sea Hunter has a full load displacement of 145 tons and is intended to be operational through Sea State 5, waves up to 6.5 ft (2.0 m) high and winds up to 21 knots (24 mph; 39 km/h), and survivable through Sea State 7, seas up to 20 ft (6.1 m) high. [9] The trimaran hull provides increased stability without requiring a weighted keel, giving her a higher capacity for linear trajectories and better operations in shallow waters, though the greater width decreases maneuverability. [5]

A removable operator control station is installed during the testing period "for safety and backup" until it can be determined to reliably operate on her own. Operationally, computers will drive and control the ship, with a human always observing and taking charge if necessary in a concept called Sparse Supervisory Control, meaning a person is in control, but not "joy sticking" the vessel around. [9] The system can patrol without human guidance, using optical guidance and radar to avoid hitting obstacles or other watercraft. [10] The ship has a host of non-standard features because of her lack of crew, including an internal layout that offers enough room for maintenance to be performed but not for any people to be permanently present. [4] It is fitted with quicKutter shaft protection rope/line cutters from Quickwater Marine in Perth. These devices protect the vessel from damage caused by rope or net caught by the propellers without affecting the vessel's performance.

The craft is expected to undergo two years of testing before being placed in service with the U.S. Navy. If tests are successful, future craft of this type may be armed and used for anti-submarine and counter-mine duties, operating at a cost of $15,000–20,000 per day, a fraction of the cost of a destroyer at $700,000 per day (in 2015, equivalent to $899,789in 2023); [10] [11] it could operate with Littoral Combat Ships, becoming an extension of the LCS ASW module. [9] Deputy U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Work said that if weapons are added to the ship, a human would always remotely make the decision to use lethal force. [12]

Following successful initial development, it was reported on 1 February 2018 that DARPA had handed development of Sea Hunter to the Office of Naval Research (ONR). [13]

Sea trials and operations

Sea Hunter gets underway on the Willamette River following a christening ceremony in Portland, Oregon in April 2016. Sea Hunter gets underway on the Willamette River following a christening ceremony in Portland, Ore. (25702146834).jpg
Sea Hunter gets underway on the Willamette River following a christening ceremony in Portland, Oregon in April 2016.

On 22 June 2016, Sea Hunter completed initial performance trials, meeting or surpassing all performance objectives for speed, maneuverability, stability, seakeeping, acceleration/deceleration, fuel consumption, and mechanical systems reliability in the open-ocean. Upcoming trials will include testing of sensors, the vessel's autonomy suite, compliance with maritime collision regulations, and proof-of-concept demonstrations for a variety of U.S. Navy missions. [14] Sea Hunter was sent to the ONR in summer 2017 for operational testing and evaluation for mine-countermeasure, EO/IR, and submarine detection capabilities. Plans for FY 2018 include adding intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and offensive anti-submarine payloads. [5]

In August 2022, Sea Hunter and other unmanned vessels USV Nomad and USV Ranger (Ghost Fleet Overlord) participated in the Rim of the Pacific exercise (RIMPAC). [15]

Influence

It has been reported in 2020 that the People's Republic of China was building clones of Sea Hunter. [16]

Related Research Articles

Littoral combat ship Ship designed for operations near shore

A littoral combat ship (LCS) is either of two classes of relatively small surface vessels designed for near-shore operations by the United States Navy. It was "envisioned to be a networked, agile, stealthy surface combatant capable of defeating anti-access and asymmetric threats in the littorals", although their ability to perform these missions in practice has been called into question.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Survey vessel</span> Type of research vessel

A survey vessel is any type of ship or boat that is used for underwater surveys, usually to collect data for mapping or planning underwater construction or mineral extraction. It is a type of research vessel, and may be designed for the purpose, modified for the purpose or temporarily put into the service as a vessel of opportunity, and may be crewed, remotely operated, or autonomous. The size and equipment vary to suit the task and availability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autonomous underwater vehicle</span> Uncrewed underwater vehicle with autonomous guidance system

An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) is a robot that travels underwater without requiring continuous input from an operator. AUVs constitute part of a larger group of undersea systems known as unmanned underwater vehicles, a classification that includes non-autonomous remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) – controlled and powered from the surface by an operator/pilot via an umbilical or using remote control. In military applications an AUV is more often referred to as an unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV). Underwater gliders are a subclass of AUVs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protector USV</span> Israeli unmanned surface vehicle

The Protector unmanned surface vehicle (USV) was developed by the Israeli Rafael Advanced Defense Systems in response to emerging terrorist threats against maritime assets such as the USS Cole bombing, and is the first operational combat USV in service. It is fitted with a Mini Typhoon Weapon Station. In 2005, it was deployed by the Singapore Navy to support coalition forces in the Persian Gulf, and was later deployed for anti-piracy duties in the Gulf of Aden. In 2012, Rafael announced that they were building a larger version of the Protector, that would have a greater range, and be equipped with a wider range of weaponry.

USS <i>Independence</i> (LCS-2) Independence-class littoral combat ship

USS Independence (LCS-2) is the lead ship of the Independence-class of littoral combat ships. She is the sixth ship of the United States Navy to be named for the concept of independence. The design was produced by the General Dynamics consortium for the Navy's LCS program, and competes with the Lockheed Martin designed Freedom variant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unmanned underwater vehicle</span> Submersible vehicles that can operate underwater without a human occupant

Unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV), also known as uncrewed underwater vehicles and underwater drones, are submersible vehicles that can operate underwater without a human occupant. These vehicles may be divided into two categories: remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROUVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). ROUVs are remotely controlled by a human operator. AUVs are automated and operate independently of direct human input.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unmanned surface vehicle</span> Vehicle that operates on the surface of the water without a crew

An unmanned surface vehicle, unmanned surface vessel or uncrewed surface vessel (USV), colloquially called a drone boat, drone ship or sea drone, is a boat or ship that operates on the surface of the water without a crew. USVs operate with various levels of autonomy, from remote control to fully autonomous surface vehicles (ASV).

<i>Independence</i>-class littoral combat ship US Navy small coastal combat ships

The Independence class is a class of littoral combat ships built for the United States Navy.

USS <i>Coronado</i> (LCS-4) Independence-class littoral combat ship

USS Coronado (LCS-4) is an Independence-class littoral combat ship. She is the third ship of the United States Navy to be named after Coronado, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ASW Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel</span>

The ASW Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) is a DARPA funded project launched in early 2010 to develop an anti-submarine drone. ASW is an acronym for Anti-Submarine Warfare. In January 2018 after successful sea trials it was announced that the "Sea Hunter" prototype has transitioned from DARPA to the Office of Naval Research for further development.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AGM-158C LRASM</span> American stealthy anti-ship cruise missile

The AGM-158C LRASM is a stealth air launch anti-ship cruise missile developed for the United States Air Force and United States Navy by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Derived from the AGM-158B JASSM-ER, the LRASM was intended to pioneer more sophisticated autonomous targeting capabilities than the U.S. Navy's current Harpoon anti-ship missile, which has been in service since 1977.

Liquid Robotics is an American marine robotics corporation that designs, manufactures and sells the Wave Glider, a wave and solar powered unmanned surface vehicle (USV). The Wave Glider harvests energy from ocean waves for propulsion. With this energy source, Wave Gliders can spend many months at a time at sea, collecting and transmitting ocean data.

Fleet-class unmanned surface vessel

The Fleet-class unmanned surface vessel, also called the Common Unmanned Surface Vessel (CUSV) and later the Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vehicle, is an unmanned surface vessel designed for the United States Navy to be deployed from Freedom and Independence-class littoral combat ships and intended to conduct mine and anti-submarine warfare missions. As of 2012 four units of the class have been built; the first was delivered to the U.S. Navy in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Sea Boats</span> International boat building company

North Sea Boats is an international boat-building company specialized in building craft for military, law enforcement, SAR, commercial, and high-performance applications. The company has a presence in Sweden, Singapore, and Indonesia, with its headquarters located at Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia. North Sea Boats was founded in 2003 by John and Lizza Lundin as a trading name for PT Lundin Industry Invest.

Seaborne targets are vessels or floating structures that are shot at for practice by naval or air forces. They may be remotely controlled and mobile, or towed behind other craft, or just set adrift in the sea.

Future Multi Purpose Trimaran concept Proposed Japanese naval vessel

The Future Multi Purpose Trimaran concept is a concept design of a future naval ship for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

NOMARS is a concept for a range of ships and smaller watercraft operating as unmanned surface vessels for the US Department of Defense, developed by the United States's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

The JARI USV is an uncrewed surface vehicle developed by the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), specifically between its No. 716 Research Institute, the Jiangsu Automation Research Institute (JARI), and No. 702 Research Institute, China Ship Scientific Research Centre (CSRRC). The uncrewed warship is designed for potential use for the People's Liberation Army Navy and export customers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghost Fleet Overlord</span> US navy fleet of test unmanned surface vehicles

Ghost Fleet Overlord is a fleet of test unmanned surface vehicles operated by the U.S. Navy.

Chinese Sea Hunter is a very little known technical research ship in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), but it is not known if it an official Chinese government-funded program such as from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), or a private venture.

References

  1. ↑ "Navy Increases Unmanned Capabilities with Newly Established Unmanned Surface Division". United States Navy.
  2. ↑ Vincent, James (April 8, 2016). "The US Navy's new autonomous warship is called the Sea Hunter". The Verge. Archived from the original on April 12, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  3. ↑ Lagrone, Sam (April 9, 2021). "Navy Takes Delivery of Sea Hawk Unmanned Vessel".
  4. 1 2 DARPA’s Autonomous Sub-Tracker Archived 2016-05-08 at the Wayback Machine - Copybook.com.Military, 11 April 2016
  5. 1 2 3 Navy anti-submarine drone-ship conducts minehunting testing Archived April 23, 2019, at the Wayback Machine - Defensesystems.com, 4 May 2017
  6. ↑ Njus, Elliot (April 7, 2016). "The military's Oregon-built drone ship is headed to California". The Oregonian . Archived from the original on April 10, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  7. ↑ Pellerin, Cheryl (April 8, 2016). "Work: Robot warship demonstrates advances in autonomy, human-machine collaboration" (Press release). U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on April 21, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  8. ↑ ACTUV on track for Navy success story Archived 2016-12-31 at the Wayback Machine - C4ISRnet.com, 21 December 2016
  9. 1 2 3 Christopher P. Cavas (April 7, 2016). "Unmanned Sub-Hunter To Begin Test Program". Defense News . Gannett. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  10. 1 2 Stewart, Phil (April 8, 2016). "U.S. military christens self-driving 'Sea Hunter' warship". Reuters. Archived from the original on April 12, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  11. ↑ ACTUV Sea Trials Set for Early 2016 Archived 2015-11-14 at the Wayback Machine - Science.DoDlive.mil, 9 November 2015
  12. ↑ Westcott, Lucy (April 8, 2016). "Meet Sea Hunter, the U.S.Navy's robotic, self-driving warship". Newsweek . Archived from the original on April 12, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  13. ↑ "ACTUV".
  14. ↑ Leidos completes initial performance tests of highly autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessel Archived 2016-08-07 at the Wayback Machine - Navyrecognition.com, 27 July 2016
  15. ↑ Eckstein, Megan (August 8, 2022). "US Navy injects first-of-kind unmanned experiments into multinational exercise". Defense News. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  16. ↑ Sutton, H I. "New evidence of China's Copy of U.S. Navy Sea Hunter USV". www.hisutton.com. HI Sutton. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.