New UK-built SWATH USV formally named

UK unmanned systems manufacturer ACUA Ocean formally named a new autonomous unmanned surface vehicle (USV) on Tuesday, March 4.

USV Pioneer is the first vessel in a new series of USVs known as the Pioneer-class. The lead USV was built by Isle of Wight-based Aluminium Marine Consultants to a design developed by naval architect John Kecsmar of Ad Hoc Marine Design.

ACUA Ocean said the key to the design of USV Pioneer is its unique SWATH design, which provides for significantly enhanced stability in higher sea states.

The company explained that USV Pioneer's rapid design, development and launch meets two critical requirements for commercial and security end users.

The craft meets the increasing need to rapidly deploy the latest equipment and technology rather than multi-year procurement and build cycles of traditional vessels, while also bringing greater seakeeping stability and operational persistence not currently found in smaller monohull USVs capable of collecting data and deploying sensor and system payloads.

USV Pioneer has just completed undergoing a three-month period of sea trials and will now be prepared for demonstrations.