A TOTAL of 100 unmanned surface vessels (USVs) will be patrolling the regional waters by next year, a top US Navy commander has announced.
Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Brad Cooper revealed a new “vision” to integrate USVs in maritime operations with help of regional partners.
“No navy acting alone can protect against all the threats in the region,” he said.
“The region is simply too big, so we must address this in a co-ordinated, multinational way.”
He was speaking during a robotics exhibition in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
“I am excited to announce our vision to create the world’s newest unmanned fleet.
“The goal by the summer of next year is 100 advanced unmanned surface vessels patrolling the waters in the region.
“Harnessing new technologies will allow us to rapidly improve maritime threat detection, build integrated unmanned and Artificial Intelligence (AI) networks.”
Vice Admiral Cooper said the new fleet will help “achieve safer seas, a stronger protection of global trade and a more prosperous future for all”.
Meanwhile, Fifth Fleet spokesman Commander Tim Hawkins told the GDN yesterday that the aim was to “enhance maritime domain awareness and build a shared picture of the surrounding seas.
“These vessels will operate alongside our crewed ships and enable us to better see what’s happening above, on and below the water.
“If we can extend our range to detect threats earlier, we can better safeguard the seas.”
He added that Bahrain-based Task Force 59 will lead the efforts with international partners to build this fleet.
TF 59 was commissioned last October under the Fifth Fleet to combat threats from unmanned and AI systems.
The latest announcement follows the completion of the International Maritime Exercise 22 (IMX/CE 2022) – the biggest event of its kind in the Middle East
Sixty countries, including Bahrain and international organisations, took part in the drill that ended last week.
It was also the largest drone exercise in the world, with more than 80 drones from 10 participating countries.
A two-day training drill, ‘New Horizon’, was led by the US Naval Forces Central Command last October in partnership with the Royal Bahrain Naval Force and Bahrain Coast Guard, featuring the use of unmanned systems.
Last month, the US Navy in Bahrain started operating the Saildrone Explorer USV in the Arabian Gulf.
The 23-foot-long, 16-foot-tall USV relies on wind power for propulsion and houses a package of sensors powered by solar energy to build a shared picture of the surrounding seas.
An unmanned system (US) or vehicle (UV) is controlled by a remote pilot and can navigate autonomously based on pre-programmed plans or specific targets.
The Fifth Fleet’s area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean.
It also covers three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab Al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
sandy@gdn.com.bh
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