UUV/UAV
US Navy deploys mine countermeasure UUV from helicopter
The U.S. Navy recently demonstrated a new mine sweeping technique during a test in which a MH-60S helicopter deployed a MK-18 Mod 2 unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV). This demonstration proved a possible lighter, less time intensive way to sweep for mines in theatre, compared to a MH-53E helicopter
US Navy is delevoping “wingman” AI drones
U.S. Navy researchers from several branches are working on a software system that uses intelligent agents to guide unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that each serve as a ‘wingman’ in manned/unmanned teams, in simulated beyond-visual-range (BVR) air combat missions. The system is called Tactical Battle
Indonesian defence ministry becomes first Skeldar V-200 customer
After a period of performance tests carried out in the latter part of 2016, the Indonesian ministry of defence became the first ever Skeldar V-200 UAV customer, UMS Skeldar announced. The delivery of the V-200 vertical take-off and landing UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) marks the start of a working p
Austal launches second Cape-class patrol boat for Australian Navy
Australian shipbuilder Austal launched the tenth Cape-class patrol boat for the Royal Australian Navy at its Henderson, Western Australia, shipyard on February 14. Future Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Inscription is the the second of two follow-on Cape-class boats that will be operated by the
USS Coronado back at sea after maintenance
U.S. Navy’s littoral combat ship USS Coronado returned to sea after spending just seven days undergoing engineering maintenance in Singapore. Sailors aboard USS Coronado started training and conducting operations at sea after departing Singapore on February 10. The Coronado crew is executing a busy
US Navy funds development of robotic manipulator arms for EOD use
The U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research (ONR) is funding the development of an underwater robotic explosive ordnance disposal device that will keep divers out of harm’s way. The contract award was announced by RE2 Robotics, a developer of robotic manipulator arms, which has received a small busines
Royal Australian Navy selects Schiebel’s Camcopter S-100 UAS
The Royal Australian Navy has awarded Austrian UAV developer Schiebel a contract for the supply of its Camcopter S-100 system and three years of follow-on contractor logistics support. The contract was signed at the end of December 2016, but the company announced it on February 6, 2017. The Royal Au
NAVAIR shoots down UAV with Spike missile
During a December 2016 test at China Lake, the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center’s Weapons Division-developed Spike missile, twice, demonstrated the capability of the missile to shoot down an Outlaw UAV with one shot. Spike is a forward-firing miniature munition that can be launched from the ground or t
Video: BMT develops first ever UAV to perform a perched landing on ship
UK’s BMT Defence Services (BMT) joined forces with the University of Bristol to work on the development of an UAV that would be the first ever to perform a perched landing on a ship’s flight deck. The 18-month research project was delivered as part of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s
‘Autonomy in a box’ will help US Navy better program UUVs
Scientists and engineers at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division have developed a way to change unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) mission information easier and faster. Autonomous systems engineers, Drs. Matthew Bays and Drew Lucas, refer to the system as “Autonomy in a Box.” Autono
China returns seized US Navy underwater glider
Pentagon’s press secretary confirmed that the People’s Liberation Army-Navy returned the U.S. Navy’s glider unmanned underwater vehicle near the location where it had been unlawfully seized on December 15. Chinese Navy vessel 510 returned returned the glider to USS Mustin (DDG 89) in international w
Pentagon: China will return underwater drone ‘stolen’ in South China Sea
China will return an underwater drone it ‘stole’ from the USNS Bowditch, a civilian U.S. Navy oceanographic survey ship which was operating in the South China Sea, the Pentagon said on Thursday. “Through direct engagement with Chinese authorities, we have secured an understanding that the Chinese wi
Austal rolls out ninth Cape-class patrol boat
Australian shipbuilder Austal has rolled out Hull 380 at its Henderson shipyard ahead of the launch later this week. Hull 380 is the ninth Cape-class patrol boat designed and constructed by Austal and the first of two to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in 2017. The patrol boat will u
Saab contracted for Swedish Navy’s A26 submarine torpedo integration systems
Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has contracted Saab for the development and production of torpedo integration systems (TIS) for the Swedish Navy’s new A26 submarines. According to the company, the order also includes an upgrade of existing systems on the Visby-class corvettes and Gotla