The development and deployment of autonomous or semi-autonomous unmanned platforms into combat/defense operations provided greater situational awareness and intelligence capability to ground commanders in recent conflicts throughout the world.  Now that operations (United States and its allies or near-peer) have digressed slightly, the integration of autonomous surface vehicles for maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations seems to be the “next big thing”; each providing data and defense capabilities for those who deploy them.

Centered around a specific event, three articles detailing the C-Enduro Autonomous Surface Vehicle by L3 (formerly ASV Global) and its integration into the Royal Navy (UK) provide insight into the constant development of autonomous maritime platforms; as well as their associated sensor packages and collection capabilities.

               In February of this year, L3 ASVGlobal delivered the C-Enduro autonomous surface vehicle to the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy for operational use regarding data collection supporting the mine countermeasures and hydrographic capability (MHC) program (Scott, 2019; ASVGlobal, 2019; AUVSI, 2019).  The C-Enduro is a 4.8 meter, fully autonomous above surface platform designed to operate in an array of maritime conditions with the sole mission of collecting and disseminating data.  Powered by 10 high-efficiency solar panels capable of an electrical output of 1100 watts, wind turbines (electrical output of 500 watts) and/or a diesel powerplant, the C-Enduro can operate in a designated area for over 30+ days (ASVGlobal, 2019).  Additionally, sensors can be mounted on either the bottom of the platform or above; each powered by the solar and/or wind generators.  Sensors that can be attached to this autonomous surface vehicle include (but limited to) L3 ASVGlobal’s 360 VIR camera, meteorological sensor packages, side-scan sonar, and electronic-warfare platforms.  Communication with the C-Enduro is possible via over-the-horizon broadband satellite linkage using ASView and the associated ASView-Bridge Operator Interface (ASVGlobal, 2019).  As seen in the image below, the interface allows the observer to control the surface vehicle, provide alternate navigation, integration of multiple autonomous surface platforms, and control the on-board sensors, if applicable.

                Though autonomous surface vehicles have been thought of more as a scientific-based platform for research and observation, the integration of such technology into defense applications is not surprising.  Most unmanned systems—whether aerial, maritime, space or ground-focused—either started as a military-funded program or quickly became such a mission-focused asset.  Personally, the deployment of autonomous surface vehicles into various theaters of operation creates a larger operating picture for all branches of any military.  For example, the use of surface vehicles in the Pacific (likely within near-peer territories such as North Korea, China, or Russia) provides critical intelligence of underwater or above water activities each respective threat may be conducting.

                In short, the integration of autonomous surface vehicles for maritime defense operations seems to be on the rise.  Either for data collection or near-peer potential threats, sightings of such autonomous platforms will become more commonplace in the very near future. 

References

Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). (2019). L3 Delivers Long-Endurance Autonomous Vessel to Royal Navy. Retrieved from https://www.auvsi.org/industry-news/l3-asv-delivers-long-endurance-autonomous-vessel-royal-navy

ASVGlobal. (2019). C-Enduro Product Information. Retrieved from https://www.asvglobal.com/product
/c-enduro/

ASVGlobal. (2019). C-Enduro Long Endurance ASV. Retrieved from https://www.asvglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/C-Enduro_Datasheet_2018-update.pdf

ASVGlobal. (2019). L3 ASV Delivers Data Gathering Autonomous Vessel to the Royal Navy. Retrieved from https://www.asvglobal.com/l3-asv-delivers-data-gathering-autonomous-vessel-to-the-royal-navy/

ASVGlobal. (2019). ASView Technology. Retrieved from https://www.asvglobal.com/asview-technology/

Scott, R. (2019). Sea Platforms: C-Enduro USV Delivered for Military Data Gathering. Jane’s International Defence Review. Retrieved from https://janes-ihs-com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu
/InternationalDefenceReview/DisplayFile/fg_1644070?edition=2019