Republic of Singapore Navy places new maritime security USVs into service

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has begun conducting deployments of new unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) built for maritime security missions.

The 19.6-metre long unmanned craft were developed by DSO National Laboratories and the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) of the Ministry of Defence of Singapore.

The USVs are fitted with autonomous navigation and collision avoidance systems, enabling these to operate safely in the busy waters of the Singapore Strait. The autonomous navigation system provides advanced decision-making capability that will enable each USV to respond predictably to maritime traffic situations similar to a crewed vessel.

Other key features on each craft include a Simrad radar and a general-purpose machine gun mounted on a remote weapon station.

The craft can operate alongside the RSN's larged manned surface combat ships such as the Independence-class littoral mission vessels.

Apart from conducting patrols, the USVs can be used to investigate and interdict suspicious vessels when required, thus expanding the surveillance and operational response of the RSN in Singapore waters.