THE US Navy is sailing strong with its ‘bold vision’ to deploy 100 unmanned surface vessels (USV) to patrol the regional waters by next year, and Bahrain will play a key role in the mission.
The world’s first USV fleet will be set up as part of the digital ocean drive, Bahrain-based Task Force 59 Commander Captain Michael Brasseur said.
The US Navy will closely work with their partners in Manama to execute the project, he added.
The official was speaking to the GDN during a special tour of the TF-59 Robotics Operations Centre in the Fifth Fleet in Juffair.
Exercise
The centre is hosting a three-week unmanned, artificial intelligence exercise - Digital Horizon - until December 15. The exercise involves employing new platforms in the region and includes 17 industry partners, who are bringing 15 different types of unmanned systems, 10 of which will operated for the first time by the US Navy in Bahrain.
The Royal Bahrain Naval Force has contributed a Coastguard ship to take part in the exercise, as it will serve as the vessel of interest to help train in artificial intelligence to correctly classify objects in video footage and images transmitted from drone platforms.
“Bahrain has been an awesome partner and we are working with the teammates every single day for this exercise and they have been exceptional,” said Captain Brasseur.
“We have a bold vision of having 100 USV fleet in the region, of which 20pc will be contributed by our (regional maritime) partners.”
TF-59 was commissioned last October under the Fifth Fleet to combat threats from unmanned and AI systems. Since its launch, the task force has deployed a suite of new unmanned systems from operational hubs in Bahrain and Aqaba, Jordan.
Captain Brasseur explained during the exercise that their team at TF-59 analyses live data - collected from different unmanned systems and transmitted to its HQ - which are then integrated with artificial intelligence to help the operator identify a pattern.
“We have a lot of talent here that pulls up real-time data to help make decisions on where to deploy our manned assets more precisely,” he said.
“On several occasions, we have to deal with real-time examples such as a vessel not transmitting Automatic Identification System (AIS) or identifying potential malign activity.”
TF-59 faced its first major challenge in August after a support ship from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy captured an USV in the Arabian Gulf.
IRGCN support ship Shahid Baziar towed a Saildrone Explorer USV in an attempt to detain it, but US naval forces stepped in and disconnected the tow line to the USV and resumed operations.
The Fifth Fleet stated that the IRGCN attempted to confiscate a US government property, equipped with sensors, radars and cameras for navigation and data collection.
Meanwhile, Fifth Fleet spokesman Commander Timothy Hawkins told the GDN that since its inception last year TF-59 had logged more than 25,000 hours of experience operating surface drones in regional waters. This equates to 12 years of nine-to-five testing five days a week.
“We have operated these systems safely, professionally and consistently in accordance with international law,” said Commander Hawkins.
“The US Fifth Fleet deploys unmanned systems across the Middle East to enhance our view of what’s happening above, on and below the surrounding waters.
“Having better understanding of what’s happening at sea supports maritime security, which is good for regional stability.”
Commander Hawkins said the systems not only complement their traditionally crewed vessels, but also enable them to affordably enhance their maritime monitoring capabilities.
“For example, we have had surface drones operate at sea for more than 220 consecutive days,” he said. “They didn’t stop for maintenance, fuel or resupply, which is not possible for crewed ships without significant logistical resources and costs.”
sandy@gdnmedia.bh
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