Unmanned Naval Systems News
Triton Completes Flight Tests Milestone
31 December 2013 - Northrop Grumman Corporation and the U.S. Navy have completed nine initial flight tests of the Triton unmanned aircraft system (UAS), marking the half-way point in a process called envelope expansion. (NEW VIDEO)
26 December 2013 - A summary of the year's most significant developments in unmanned naval systems as judged by our readers.
17 December 2013 - The U.S. Navy has announced two small business research solicitations to develop submarine-hunting magnetic anomaly detectors (MAD) for unmanned aerial vehicles.
13 December 2013 - An Heron UAV from Indian Naval Air Station (INS) Parundu crashed in to a grove of coconut trees, causing no casualties.
SeaExplorer Breaks UUV Endurance Record
5 December 2013 - ACSA is pleased to announce that the SeaExplorer glider, developed by ACSA in partnership with ACRI, CNRS and IFREMER, successfully completed a two-month record mission in collaboration with the Laboratoire d’Océanographie de Villefranche (LOV) of National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and Pierre and Marie Curie University (UPMC).
Navy Reliant AUV Sets Mission Endurance Record
20 November 2013 - U.S. Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL) Acoustics Division, with Bluefin Robotics, executed a record setting 507 kilometer (315 mile), long-endurance autonomy research mission using its heavyweight-class mine countermeasures autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), Reliant.
Navy Awards Hydroid REMUS Sustainment Contract
11 November 2013 - On Friday, the Navy announced a contract valued at $26.2 million to Kongsberg Maritime's Hydroid subsidiary to support its growing fleet of unmanned underwater vehicles.
Rand on Unmanned Surface Vehicles
7 November 2013 - At the direction of the Chief of Naval Operations, Assessment Division (OPNAV N81), the RAND Corp has released a new study on Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) for naval use.
31 October 2013 – Northrop Grumman Corporation and the U.S. Navy successfully completed the first flight of the next-generation MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, California.
Aurora Flight Sciences Awarded DARPA UAV Contract
23 October 2013 - Aurora Flight Sciences today announced that the Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency (DARPA) has awarded it a $2,811,232 contract for the Tactically Exploited Reconnaissance Node (TERN) program.
AeroVironment Unveils Puma Upgrades
21 October 2013 - AeroVironment, Inc. announced a series of enhancements to the RQ-20A Puma AE small unmanned aircraft system at the Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting.
Bluefin Acquires SeeByte Adding New Software Capabilities to Maritime Robotics Portfolio
QUINCY, Mass. and EDINBURGH, Scotland (Oct. 7, 2013)—Bluefin Robotics, a provider of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), announced today that it has acquired SeeByte, Ltd., developer of autonomous platform software that enhances the user experience and the capabilities of underwater sensors, vehicles and systems.
New UUV Mothership Hits the Fleet: the Coastal Command Boat
28 September 2013 - The U.S. Navy recently introduced the new 65 foot Coastal Command Boat (65PB1101) into the fleet. Among other maritime security missions, CCB will test new concepts in employing unmanned underwater vehicles.
GAO Report Raises Caution on UCLASS
26 September 2013 - The General Accounting Office issued a report today calling for greater congressional oversight of the UCLASS program. The report cautions that the Navy's pursuit of the programs is outside the normal framework for Congressional accountability for cost, schedule, and performance metrics.
X-47B Program Completes Centennial Flight
18 September 2013 - The X-47B (AV-2) conducted the 100th flight for the Navy's Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) program today at Patuxent River Air Station.
Unmanned Naval Helicopters Take-off in 2013
8 September 2013 - The carrier take-off and arrested landings of the U.S. Navy's X-47B demonstrator have garnered significant press attention this year. Less noticed however, is the rapid development of rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles across the world's fleets.
DARPA Awards Additional TERN Contracts
6 September 2013 -The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has announced additional awardees for Phase I of the ship-based Tactically Exploited Reconnaissance Node (TERN) unmanned aerial vehicle program.
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Schiebel S-100 – Integrates New FLIR Systems Sensor 5 September 2013 – Schiebel and FLIR Systems Polytec AB announces the successful integration of the Schiebel CAMCOPTER® S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS) with the CORONA 350 Airborne Sensor. This successful integration marked the first time that this airborne sensor was flown on board a UAV. |
 Photo: FLIR Systems |
Russia & UAE Plan Joint Unmanned Combat Helicopter
2 September 2013 - Russia’s Berkut Aero design bureau and the United Arab Emirate’s Adcom Systems have announced plans to develop an unmanned combat aerial vehicle based on Russia’s two-seat Berkut VL helicopter.
DARPA Awards First Phase I TERN UAV Contract
25 August 2013 - The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded a $2.2 million contract to Baltimore-based Maritime Applied Physics Corp. (MAPC) for the initial phase of the Tactically Exploited Reconnaissance Node (TERN) ship-board unmanned air vehicle program.
Predator B Demonstrates Electronic Attack for Marines
13 August 2013 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) announced its successful demonstration of Predator® B's Electronic Attack capability at the U.S. Marine Corp's (USMC's) Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course held at Marine Corp Air Station (MCAS) Yuma on April 12.
Puma AE Integrates Solar Power for Record Flights
12 August 2013 – AeroVironment, Inc. today announced that a recent outdoor test flight of a solar-powered prototype version of the company’s proven Puma AE™ small unmanned aircraft system (UAS), operating with the company’s newest long-endurance battery, lasted 9 hours, 11 minutes.
General Dynamics Completes Knifefish Risk Reduction Testing
7 August 2013 - The US Navy's Knifefish surface mine countermeasure unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV) program has achieved a new milestone with the completion of a comprehensive risk reduction program.
Northrop Delivers Upgraded Fire Scout to USN
19 July 2013 - Northrop Grumman delivered its first upgraded MQ-8C aircraft to the Navy in early July in preparation for ground and flight testing.
Photo: Northrop Grumman Corp.
Ships vs UUVs for Mine Clearance - Not Mutually Exclusive
19 July 2013 - A discussion on the merits of dedicated mine hunting vessels and unmanned underwater systems.
Saab Signs Contract for Skeldar UAS for Maritime Operations
11 July 11 2013 - Defense and security company Saab has signed a contract to deploy the Skeldar Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) for maritime operations.
X-47B First Carrier Trap
10 July 2013 - The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator completed its first carrier-based arrested landings on board USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) off the coast of Virginia.
10 July 2013 - Proteus, a new class of underwater vehicle that is unique in its ability to operate in either manned or autonomous mode, has been recognized as one of the best technical products of the year.
Lockheed Martin Demonstrates UAS Common Control Systems
02 July 2013 – During a recent demonstration at NAVAIR, Lockheed Martin monitored and controlled multiple types of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) from one integrated command and control (C2) system.
23 June 2013 - A naval officer and researcher at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies proposes using unmanned surface vehicles to identify, neutralize, and exploit “surface-floating” maritime improvised explosive devices (SF/MIEDs).
Ocean Server and SeeByte Collaborate for Rapid Environmental Assessment Exercise
14 June 2013 - Off Coronado, California, OceanServer Technology's Iver2 AUVs demonstrated improvements for both sonar and magnetic Sensor data collection and subsequent "in-stride" and post-mission data analysis methods to reps from the U.S. and Canadian Navies.
Northrop Awarded USV Mine-Hunting Sonar Contract
10 June 2013 - Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been awarded a contract to support the U.S. Navy's integration onto an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) of the Northrop Grumman-built AQS-24A Side Look Sonar System to look for bottom and volume mines remotely.
2 June 2013 - How vulnerable are UAVs in a naval environment?
1 June 2013 - The Polish Navy has contracted to purchase two REMUS 100 systems intended for harbor defense missions.
30 May 2013 - Saab has signed a contract on delivery of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle systems, AUV62, in training configuration. The order has a total value of MSEK 148 ($22.5 million USD) and system deliveries will take place during 2014.
Lab Effort to Cut Costs for Navy's Triton UAS
29 May 2013 — An engineer at Naval Air Station Patuxent River is leading an initiative that will save the Navy’s MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System program several hundred thousand dollars.
Northrop's Triton Takes to the Skies
22 May 2013 - The U.S. Navy's MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) completed its first flight from Palmdale, California today, marking the start of tests which will validate the Northrop Grumman-built system for future fleet operations. More with video.
Kraken Completes Successful Sonar Trials with REMUS AUV
ST. JOHN’S, NEWFOUNDLAND – 17 May 2013 – Kraken Sonar Systems Inc. announced today that a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Navy’s Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) in Newport, Rhode Island was a complete success.
IMCMEX 13 - New Drones, New Tactics
16 May 2013 - Unmanned naval systems played a significant role during last year's International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) and this year's exercise features even more vehicles and demonstrations of new tactical concepts.
First X-47B Cat Shot
14 May 2013 - The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator (UCAS-D) completed its first ever carrier-based catapult launch from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) off the coast of Virginia, May 14. (U.S. Navy video)
First X-47B Tailhook Landings
4 May 2013 - The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator completes its first shore-based arrested landing at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.
India Looks to UAVs to Prevent Future Terrorism
28 April 2013 - India's growing maritime unmanned aerial vehicle fleet is being put through its paces to prepare for another Mumbai-style complex terrorist attack.
Fiscal Reality Hits the Navy's UAV Fleet
14 April 2013 - Despite a growing demand for unmanned systems, several Navy programs are facing the budget axe.
Production of Northrop's Triton UAV has been delayed a year. What programs are next for cuts?
DARPA Broad Agency Announcement Details TERN Requirements
21 March 2013 - DARPA has detailed requirements for its proposed Tactically Exploited Reconnaissance Node Unmanned Aerial System.
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Evaluating China's Anti-Ship Drone Swarms 21 March 2013 - How can the PLA's growing UAV fleet be countered at sea? |
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SAIC Awards OpenClovis ACTUV Contract
20 March 2013 - OpenClovis Solutions, Inc., has signed a contract with SAIC to support the development of DARPA's Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) project with the SAFPlus platform.
Northrop Awarded Fire Scout Contract Add-On
13 March 2013 - The Navy awarded Northrop Grumman a $71 million contract to procure six additional MQ-8C Fire-X variants, for a total of 30 aircraft.
A Relay Race: Communication Relay Drones
12 February 2013 - Navy unmanned air vehicles could be configured to support better communication at sea.
Tactical Employment of Drone Motherships
11 February 2013 - How the U.S. Navy's experimentation with various combinations of platforms and drones is transforming mine warfare.
Navy to Establish Dedicated Triton Squadron
7 February 2013 - The U.S. Navy announced that it will stand up Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19) at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida on 1 October 2013.
LCS Program Office for Unmanned Systems Update
1 February 2013 - Video: LCS Program Office CAPT Ashton discusses Unmanned Mine Countermeasures Systems.
Triton Fuselage Mated to Wings
31 January 2013 - Northrop Grumman employees mate the fuselage with the wings of a company-owned Triton test bed unmanned aircraft in Palmdale, Calif. Based on the U.S. Navy's MQ-4C Triton, the system provides a detailed picture of surface vessels to identify threats across vast areas of ocean and coastal areas.
30 January 2013 - Can a tiny robot save the Navy hundreds of millions of dollars a year in fuel consumption?
Bluefin to Deliver Knifefish for NRL
24 January 2013—Bluefin Robotics announced that they will produce a variation of the Knifefish UUV for the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL).
19 January 2013 - The Commanding Officer of USS Benfold describes the value the Puma small tactical UAV brings surface combatants in Proceedings Magazine.
Unmanned ISR and Future Air Wing Composition
18 January 2013 - Naval aviation is approaching a critical decision regarding unmanned aircraft.
Investing in Unmanned Naval Systems
10 January 2013 - How did the stocks producing unmanned naval systems perform last year?
Telephonics Awarded Fire Scout Radar Contract
9 January 2013 - Telephonics Corporation was awarded a $33 million contract by Northrop Grumman to build and test nine multi-mode maritime surveillance radars for the Fire Scout unmanned air vehicle.
Naval Drones 2012 Year in Review
30 December 2012 - This year's top stories for unmanned naval systems.
Unmanned Systems for EM-Cyber Warfare
27 December 2012 - Drones add agility and quantity to this critically important domain.
SAIC Reveals New Details on ASW Drone
21 December 2012- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) has released an updated promotional video revealing new details about the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV). More here.
16 December 2012 - An analysis of how the Naval Special Warfare Command has successfully integrated unmanned systems into its operations the past decade.
Navy Experiments with Puma UAV on Ships
6 December 2012 – In November, Sailors from Riverine Squadron Three flew the Puma All Environment (AE) small tactical UAV for the first time operationally off Navy ships in the Persian Gulf.
USS Klakring Breaks Records with Fire Scouts
5 December 2012 - USS Klakring (FFG-42) returned to Mayport, Florida from a record setting deployment on December 1 with four embarked Fire Scouts.
Sea-Based Drones & the Future of Counterterrorism
2 December 2012 - Can carrier-based drones take over strikes against militants in Pakistan?
X-47B First Catapult Launch
29 November 2012 - The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) Air Vehicle (AV-1) demonstrator successfully completed its inaugural land-based catapult launch at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.
According to Northrop, the aircraft reached an airspeed of 151 knots during its 10 minute flight.
Navy Looks to Small Business to Solve RMS Problems
26 November 2012 - Can Navy request for proposals from small business fix the ailing Remote Minehunting System?
SeeByte Solutions for Expeditionary MCM Forces to Exhibit at EXPONAVAL
12 November 2012 - SeeByte will feature its smart software for unmanned maritime systems at the upcoming EXPONAVAL 2012.
Poland's Naval Unmanned Systems Developments
10 November 2012 - Poland's Navy has the opportunity to make a big leap with auotonomous unmanned surface vessels.
The Next Wave - Swarming Underwater Drones
8 November 2012 - Quadrotor swarm experiments have produced some interesting results, including potential for future military applications. Now some researchers in Germany are working to transition these concepts to the underwater realm.
U.S. CNO Makes Unmanned Systems a Priority
4 November 2012 - Admiral Greenert's "Navigation Plan" sets an aggressive vision for naval drones in America's fleet.
30 October 2012 - In depth analysis on the the U.S. Navy's recent testing of Rafael's Protector Unmanned Surface Vehicle.