Focus on Unmanned Craft

Baird Maritime once again closely examines the world of unmanned vessels. This week, we review craft designed for a variety of applications in both civil and security use with roles ranging from seabed surveys to marine research and inland cargo transport in Europe and the United States.

Unmanned Surface Vehicles • Unmanned Underwater Vehicles • Remotely Operated Vehicles

We will also discuss two ongoing projects involving these vessels and their advanced technology. One project falls under a marine scientific program focused on ocean exploration off the California coast while another encompasses a series of demonstration sailings to determine the feasibility of autonomous coastal cargo ships.

Visit Baird Maritime regularly as we cover the latest developments related to these unique vessels.

Vessel Reviews:

• X107T – ThayerMahan USV for maritime domain awareness missions
  
• Princeton University acquires unmanned vehicle for earthquake research
• Spanish Navy USVs to perform hydrographic surveys
• River Drone 1 – Dutch operator places remote-controlled cargo vessels into service
• Fast autonomous vehicle built for commercial and security applications

Features and Opinion:

FEATURE | EU partnership trials autonomous sailing systems for coastal and inland vessels

– “The test cruise has been named one of the most complex autonomous journeys at sea so far.”

FEATURE | Unmanned vehicles to support California science institute’s ocean exploration program

– “The nimble robot can be deployed from beaches, piers, and small boats to run complex missions on its own for weeks to months.”

News and Gear:

• Maritime Security Vessel News Roundup | July 6 – Dutch and Belgian sub-hunting frigates, Estonian-built autonomous warships and more
• Debris near Titanic wreck site indicates “catastrophic loss” of missing tourist submersible, US Coast Guard confirms
• Maritime Security Vessel News Roundup | June 13 – Australian and Canadian patrol vessels, Indian and Italian submarines and more
• UK unmanned vessel manufacturers to merge
• AI and automated ships pose new challenges in casualty liability, insurance expert warns

Recent Important Features:

OPINION | To integrate uncrewed surface vehicles into the navy, start with a concept of operations

– “It’s challenging to group them, given the vast array of military capabilities available.”

– by Jennifer Parker, senior analyst in the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s defence and strategy program and a former naval officer

FEATURE | Dutch design firm unveils autonomous coastal replenishment dredger

– “Its purpose is to deliver sediment to coastlines to protect the land in a sustainable manner.”

Remember to come back every day to see the latest news, opinion and vessel reviews!

Call for content!

Any news or views about the unmanned vessel industries? Send it through to [email protected] ASAP (between now and July 21), so we can add it to this current edition of Unmanned Craft Week!

We are after:

• Vessels – Orders, new deliveries, under construction
• Gear – Latest innovations and technology in the unmanned vessel sector
• Interviews – Owners, operators, research organisations, etc.
• Reminiscences – Do you have any exciting, amusing or downright dangerous anecdotes from your time in the unmanned vessel world? (example here)
• Other – Any other relevant news