US boatbuilder unveils autonomous amphibious craft for military use

Louisiana-based boatbuilder Metal Shark Boats has unveiled a new type of autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) with amphibious and semi-submersible navigation capability.

Metal Shark said the ASV combines multiple technologies to meet the current and near-future warfighting requirements of the US military and its allies.

Merging autonomous, amphibious, and semi-submersible capabilities with the performance and seakeeping characteristics of a slender, deep-vee monohull surface craft, the ASV has been designed to address operational challenges identified by the US Navy and the US Marine Corps.

The 30-foot (9.1-metre), welded-aluminium vessel is powered by a Volvo Penta D6 300hp (223kW) inboard diesel engine. This will enable the craft to achieve a sprint speed of 35 knots and a range of 500 nautical miles.

The ASV offers drastically simplified launch and recovery compared to traditional vessels. It is capable of self-launch and self-recovery at boat ramps, without a prime mover or trailer, or from the well deck of an amphibious ship, with no need for cumbersome cradles or dollies.

The vessel’s low-speed crawl will enable autonomous or remote operation on land, allowing it to be staged and manoeuvred with minimal effort.

The ASV will operate on land via a proprietary electric-drive system developed by Metal Shark. This system uses low-pressure, high-traction tyres mated to dedicated motors for propulsion and steering.

The craft can be transported over the road behind a conventional prime mover with no trailer.