Crew-Optional USNS Apalachicola Delivers to the Navy, Ship’s Unmanned Future Unclear

USNS Apalachicola (EPF-13) underway in the Gulf of Mexico. Austal USA

SAN DIEGO – A logistics ship that Congress directed the Navy to build with the ability to operate autonomously delivered to the service on Thursday, Naval Sea Systems Command announced.

Spearhead-class aluminum catamaran USNS Apalachicola (EPF-13) is now set to operate in the Western Pacific in support of U.S. 7th Fleet.

“The delivery of EPF 13 comes after several successful at-sea periods for the vessel, including Unmanned...

https://news.usni.org/2023/02/16/crew-optional-usns-apalachicola-delivers-to-the-navy-ships-unmanned-future-unclear

GAO: Navy’s XLUUV Undersea Minelayer $242M Over Budget, 3 Years Behind Schedule

Undated image of XLUUV test vehicle. US Navy Photo

A program to develop an unmanned, 80-ton minelaying submarine is three years late and $242 million over budget, according to a Wednesday report from the Government Accountability Office.

The Navy’s Extra Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (XLUUV) prototype program was set to deliver five of the autonomous submersibles based on Boeing’s Echo Voyager as a rapid acquisition for the minelayers, according to the GAO.

The service contracted in March of...

https://news.usni.org/2022/09/28/gao-navys-xluuv-undersea-minelayer-242m-over-budget-3-years-behind-schedule

Austal USA Inks Deal with Saildrone to Build Wind-powered Drones as USV Work Expands

Saildrone Photo

By the end of the year, Austal USA’s yard will start producing sail-powered, unmanned surface vessels for the Navy and other customers, the company announced this week.

Starting in October, the Mobile, Ala., shipyard will start building the 65-foot aluminum Saildrone Surveyor drones in its modular manufacturing facility for use by the U.S. Navy.

“The Saildrone Surveyor … is designed specifically for deep ocean mapping and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance applications,...

https://news.usni.org/2022/09/01/austal-usa-inks-deal-with-saildrone-to-build-wind-powered-drones-as-usv-work-expands

Unmanned Surface Vehicle Mariner Next Ghost Fleet Vessel to Join the Navy

USV Mariner on Aug. 23, 2022. USNI News Photo

ABOARD OVERLORD USV MARINER IN ANNAPOLIS, MD., – In a small ceremony on Tuesday, the Navy christened its latest Ghost Fleet Overlord unmanned surface vehicle, putting the service on a path to ramp up autonomy experimentation with its fleet of USVs.

Mariner, which Gulf Craft built on spec at its Franklin, La., facility under prime contractor Leidos, will help the Navy advance testing for the autonomous technology needed for USVs. It will also add to...

https://news.usni.org/2022/08/23/unmanned-surface-vehicle-mariner-next-ghost-fleet-vessel-to-join-the-navy

Navy conducts unmanned logistics prototype trials with pre-delivery EPF

Even before it is formally delivered to the Navy, the future USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13) is performing a series of planned test events assessing autonomous capabilities integrated into the shipboard configuration, demonstrating that a large ship can become a self-driving platform.

Shipbuilder, Austal USA was awarded a $44 million contract last June to deliver autonomous capabilities to the Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel, while retaining capability for manned operations.

The ship is a multi-use...

https://www.marinelog.com/technology/navy-conducts-unmanned-logistics-prototype-trials-with-pre-delivery-epf/

New Navy Unmanned Division to Serve as Bridge Between Program Office, Fleet

Sea Hunter sits pierside at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., during the Unmanned Surface Vessel Division (USDIV) One Establishment ceremony on May 13, 2022. US Navy Photo

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HAWAII – A new California command for unmanned surface vessels will be the bridge between the Navy’s requirements team in Washington, D.C., and the operational fleet.

Cmdr. Jeremiah Daley, who leads the San Diego, Calif.,-based Unmanned Surface Vessel Division One, in a recent interview with USNI...

https://news.usni.org/2022/07/22/new-navy-unmanned-division-to-serve-as-bridge-between-program-office-fleet

RIMPAC 2022: Navy Teaming Warships with Unmanned Surface Vessels

Sea Hunter, an autonomous unmanned surface vehicle, arrives at Pearl Harbor to participate in the Rim of Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 on June 29, 2022. US Navy Photo

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HAWAII – With its four experimental unmanned surface vehicles in Hawaii, the Navy is testing news manned-unmanned teaming concepts at the biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise this month.

The service’s two Ghost Fleet Overlord test ships – Nomad and Ranger – are here operating off the coast of Hawaii, along...

https://news.usni.org/2022/07/14/rimpac-2022-navy-teaming-warships-with-unmanned-surface-vessels

New Marine Littoral Regiment Will Make Debut in This Year’s RIMPAC Drills

U.S. Marines with 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, post security during a field training exercise at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, May 30, 2022. US Marine Corps Photo

Marines with 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment will join ground forces along with a fleet of ships, submarines and aircraft from 26 countries for this year’s multinational, Rim of the Pacific maritime exercise off Hawaii, officials told USNI News.

“As the world’s largest international maritime exercise,...

https://news.usni.org/2022/06/06/new-marine-littoral-regiment-will-make-debut-in-this-years-rimpac-drills

Cruiser USS Vicksburg Nearly Finished with Modernization Program, Set For Decommissioning

USS Vicksburg (CG-69) getting repaired at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Va., on April 8, 2022. Christopher P. Cavas Photo used with permission

A Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser the Navy wants to decommission next year is nearly finished with a modernization overhaul that costs hundreds of millions of dollars, a service official told lawmakers today.

USS Vicksburg (CG-69) is about 85 percent of the way through the cruiser modernization program meant to extend the life of the ship.

“The...

https://news.usni.org/2022/05/18/cruiser-uss-vicksburg-nearly-finished-with-modernization-program-set-for-decommissioning

New Navy Unmanned Command Will Send 4 Experimental Large USVs to RIMPAC

Sea Hunter sits pierside at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., during the Unmanned Surface Vessel Division (USDIV) One Establishment ceremony on May 13, 2022. US Navy Photo

NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO, Calif. – A quartet of experimental unmanned surface vessels will set sail for Hawaii this summer for a test of a new unit focused on ramping up the Navy’s use of drones to bolster the surface fleet’s lethality.

RIMPAC 2022 will be a high-profile mission for Unmanned Surface Vessel Division 1, which includes...

https://news.usni.org/2022/05/17/new-navy-unmanned-command-will-send-4-experimental-large-usvs-to-rimpac

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