Integrating Robotic and Autonomous Systems for Enhanced Fleet Operations

 

The Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron (USVRON) Three at the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado was established during a ceremony in May. The USVRON Three will oversee a small fleet of USVs known as Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC). Together with the USVs and GARC will augment the Navy’s traditional combatant force and provide commanders with additional capabilities and options to increase the Fleet’s tactical and strategic advantages. The aim for USVs is to provide the fleet advanced operations in conjunction with carrier strike groups, surface action groups or independently.

 

Commander, Naval Surface Fleet, US Pacific Fleet Vice Adm Brendan McLane presented the keynote speech at the ceremony. “With challenging obstacles to overcome, we have put the right team in place at USVRON Three… The Navy is placing unmanned systems in the hands of 400 of our most talented war fighters to help integrate, scale, experiment and employ these systems.”

 

The USVRON Three will enable Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS) operations and maintenance at the tactical edge. The squadron are to be the subject matter experts for computer vision, mission autonomy, navigation autonomy, data systems, artificial intelligence, and machine learning on the RAS platforms.

 

Commodore Shea Thompson said “There are currently no boundaries, and we have an incredible opportunity to determine what right looks like within our sphere of influence. The Surface Development Group One and USVRON Three teams are manned by liked-minded surface warriors who are making considerable strides in validating small USV capability while laying out a clear path to achieving full operational capability by a timeframe that matters”.

 

Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS) will change the future of Defence missions within Australia. These technical intelligence for RAS platforms allows commanders to implement a suite of countermeasures and increase the effectiveness of Defence within the constraints of Australia’s resources. While the Australian Defence already deploy systems with remote and automatic operation it is not a matter of if, but when it will become necessary for Defence to adopt RAS and counter RAS capabilities to maintain Australia’s military capability edge. Australian companies such as BlueZone Group play a crucial role in providing the necessary equipment, skills and experience to Defence for RAS capabilities.

 

Read More:

US Navy Establishes Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron Three

BlueZone Group’s Defence Capabilities & Experience