US Navy trials wind-powered USV in Gulf of Aqaba, Jordan

By Baird Maritime - December 16, 2021.

*A US Navy wind-powered unmanned surface vehicle during trials in the Gulf of Aqaba off Jordan (Photo: US Army/Corporal Deandre Dawkins)*

US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) have begun operationally testing a new unmanned surface vessel (USV) in the Gulf of Aqaba off Jordan as part of an initiative to integrate new unmanned systems and artificial intelligence into US 5th Fleet operations.

NAVCENT commenced exercise Digital Horizon while launching a USV into the water for the first time from the Royal Jordanian naval base in Aqaba. In November, US and Jordanian naval leaders announced the base would become a joint hub for USV operations in the Red Sea.

The USV was built by US unmanned systems specialist Saildrone. It has a length of 23 feet (seven metres), a height of 16 feet (4.8 metres), and a wind-driven propulsion system. The array of onboard sensors are all powered by solar energy.