DefenceTalkDARPA’s Manta Ray Program aims to demonstrate critical technologies for a new class of long duration, long range, payload-capable unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). UUVs that operate for extended durations without the need for on-site human logistics support or maintenance offer the potential for persistent operations during longer term deployments. DARPA has selected three companies to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/darpa-awards-contracts-for-work-on-manta-ray-program-74801/

DefenceTalkThe Pentagon says it has “secured an understanding” with Beijing that it will return a U.S. Navy underwater drone seized in the South China Sea. The seizure of the submersible on December 16 sparked a row between Washington and Beijing that drew in U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who said China stole the craft and can […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-agrees-to-return-us-naval-drone-trump-says-beijing-can-keep-it-68683/

DefenceTalkIn a testament to the versatility and adaptability that its unmanned systems bring to complex missions, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) successfully launched Vector Hawk, a small, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), on command from the Marlin MK2 autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) during a cross-domain command and control event hosted by the U.S. Navy. In addition to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/lockheed-conducts-first-underwater-uav-launch-from-unmanned-underwater-vehicle-68239/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. Navy completed tests on the GhostSwimmer unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEBLC-FS), Dec. 11. GhostSwimmer is the latest in a series of science-fiction-turned-reality projects developed by the chief of naval operations’ Rapid Innovation Cell (CRIC) project, Silent NEMO. Silent NEMO is an experiment that explores the possible […]https://www.defencetalk.com/navy-tests-new-unmanned-underwater-vehicle-at-jeblc-fs-61149/

DefenceTalkAt Euronaval 2014, DCNS is unveiling the SMX-Océan conventionally powered attack submarine. The new vessel draws extensively on the design of a state-of-the-art nuclear-powered submarine, with a number of key innovations that give this diesel-electric adaptation truly outstanding performance. Exceptional performance This innovative concept ship promises submerged endurance and deployment capabilities that are unprecedented for […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dcns-unveils-smx-ocean-a-new-blue-water-ssk-with-expanded-capabilities-60889/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. Navy has deployed the MK18 Mod 2 Kingfish underwater unmanned vehicle for operations in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility, following more than 30 sorties over 15 days of mock deployment testing in the Gulf of Mexico, the Navy announced June 20. Kingfish is an autonomous underwater unmanned vehicle (UUV) used by the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/mk18-kingfish-uuv-deployed-to-5th-fleet-48261/