Jack Rowley on USV Technologies
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The document presents a detailed strategy for integrating unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) into the U.S. Navy fleet through a 'nesting dolls' approach. This concept emphasizes the use of larger unmanned vessels to deploy and control smaller USVs for various missions, enhancing operational capabilities and safety. Key applications discussed include intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, logistics, and mine countermeasures, showcasing successful exercises and future plans for unmanned naval operations.
Jack Rowley on USV Technologies
- 1. Integrating Unmanned Surface Vehicles Into the Surface Fleet: The Case for a “Nesting Dolls” Approach ASNE Virtual Technology, Systems & Ships Symposium January 26-28, 2021 LCDR U.H. (Jack) Rowley (USN, Ret) Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Maritime Tactical Systems, Inc. rowleyj@martacsystems.com
- 2. Deliver a Larger Hybrid Fleet “Unmanned platforms play a vital role in our future fleet. Successfully integrating unmanned platforms—under ,on, and above the sea— gives our commanders better options to fight and win in contested spaces …… By the end of this decade, our Sailors must have a high degree of confidence and skill operating alongside proven unmanned platforms at sea.” CNO NAVPLAN Jan 2021 Adm M.M. Gilday, CNO • Utilizing available and near-term UxV technology, this paper provides a sample CONOPS demonstrating not only an effective integration of USV platforms into the Fleet, but also using an effective “Unmanned-Unmanned” UxV technical integration 2
- 3. U.S. Navy Commitment to Unmanned Systems • Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Michael Gilday, in his FRAGO 01/2019 order – Reemphasized the Navy’s commitment for a future fleet with substantial numbers of unmanned systems • Naval Sea Systems Command at 2019 Surface Navy Association (SNA) Symposium – Presented a near term future of a fleet populated with unmanned vehicles with a goal to: • Integrate USVs with manned host platforms, which control the USVs from a distance • Surface Development Squadron One was established in San Diego – Expand DDG-1000 Zumwalt class and increase experimentation of USV capabilities within Fleet exercises – Navy MDUSV Sea Hunter as first USV with follow-on second of class later this year • In Dec 2020, in “Advantage at Sea: Prevailing with All-Domain Naval Power” – Maritime strategy continued the drumbeat regarding the importance of unmanned systems to the sea services 3
- 4. Current Navy USV Initiatives • Textron MCM-USV – Program of Record operating with LCS MCM Module • LUSV and MUSV Contracts Awarded – Six contracts awarded for detailed LUSV related studies • Best of the design conclusions to be implemented in first full LUSV contract – Contract to L3Harris for design/fab or first MUSV to be delivered in 2023 – Eight contracts awarded by DARPA related to development of “No Manning Required Ships” (NOMARS) – design from keel up to take the human completely out of the “onboard” calculations 4 • Operation Overlord – Strategic Capabilities Office – Two prototype workboat-type LUSVs are already operational in an autonomous scenario for technology, payload and CONOPS testing
- 5. Mission Scenarios - Multiple-Sized USVs • Consider Concept of Operations (CONOPS) of various sized surface, subsurface and aerial unmanned vehicles to perform missions that the U.S. Navy has – and will continue to have – as the “Navy-After-Next” evolves – Effectively – Navy expects to use the LUSV as a “truck” to move smaller USVs, UUVs and UAVs into the battle space in the increasingly contested littoral environment • Larger unmanned vessels (LUSV, MUSV) to carry smaller USVs, UUVs and UAVs • Effectively, a “Nesting Dolls” UxV-to-UxV combination of integrated unmanned platforms for accomplishment of a plethora of important Navy missions – this presentation will focus on three: – Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) – Expeditionary/Amphibious Logistics – Mine Countermeasures • Focus to be on proven USV examples in lieu of the hypothetical use of USVs – Employment of COTS USVs in Navy and Marine Corps exercise events – Demonstration of mission accomplishment and mature HM&E systems 5
- 6. Intelligence, Surveillance & Recon Mission • S2ME2 ANTX Exercise (Camp Pendleton, CA) – Focused on exploring operational impact of using USV on an amphibious ship-to- shore mission – MANTAS T8 (8ft USV) performed the following successful missions • Sail into Del Mar Boat Basin and relay video to amphibious force command center • Just outside of the immediate surf zone, the T8 scanned and provided IPB on obstacle location, beach gradient, water conditions and a visual of the shoreline • Exercise Bold Alligator (Camp Lejeune, NC) – Evaluated USVs as a new technology for pre-assault long-range reconnaissance – Operators at Naval Station Norfolk, VA controlled T6 (6ft) and T12 (12ft) USVs • Operating in the Intercoastal Waterway at Camp Lejeune, NC using EO/IR camera to stream live, hi-res video and sonar images to the command center • Operating offshore, used single beam sonar to perform bottom imaging for landing craft hazards and reviewed shoreline defense structures 6
- 7. Expeditionary Logistics Mission • Valiant Shield 2018, a major Navy-Marine Corps amphibious exercise, evaluated the ability of USVs to conduct a combat resupply mission – INDOPACOM Joint Exercise conducted on the Marianas Island Range complex in Guam – MARTAC provided two MANTAS T12 craft deployed from the USNS Curtiss (T-AVB4) for rapid ship-to-shore logistics sustainment in an unmanned scenario – While the T12 could only carry 120lb cargo, the proof of concept worked by demonstrating that a USV could effectively resupply troops ashore – taking operators out of harm’s way 7 • As such, MARTAC is scaling up the T12 to a T38 which can carry 4500lbs – Assuming up to qty of 4 T38 supporting the mission from amphibious ship at standoff of 20Nm – Traveling at cruise speed of 25kts with full load → 18,000lbs of material to beach each hour – Results in buildup of well over 400,000lbs of vital material per day – ALL UNMANNED
- 8. Mine Countermeasures • In terms of availability, variety, cost effectiveness and ease of deployment, mines are some of the most attractive weapons available in littoral areas – More than 50 countries possess mines and mining capability • 30 countries have demonstrated a mine production capability – The use of sea mines adjacent to maritime choke points presents a ubiquitous and deadly threat 8 • Only one way to “Take the Sailor out of the Minefield” is to leverage unmanned technologies to hunt and destroy mines at a distance – U.S. Navy currently has Textron CUSV (now referred to as MCM-USV) to work with the LCS on the LCS MCM Module – Several other international partners are also working on various MCM-USV solutions
- 9. Mine Countermeasures • MARTAC T38E prototype participated in Navy Trident Warrior ‘20 in San Diego, CA – Part of a team effort with Teledyne Brown Engineering to demonstrate that a high-speed multi- sensor, single-sortie detect-to-engage MCM capability could be performed – DEVIL RAY T38 is similar in size to 11m RHIB with high-speed capability in excess of 70kts • Center hull moonpool to house a high resolution mine detection echosounder sonar • Aft mounted twin tow station with rails to house, and easily deploy, both a towed mine- hunting sonar and a mine neutralization system (MNS) ROV • Catamaran hull enables DEVIL RAY to conduct an angled “ballast down aft” submergence of the stern tow station to minimize effort of tow-vehicle deployment and recovery 9 – Autonomous track is preset to optimize the mine hunting sweep – Track and sonar survey data are monitored by supervisory controllers onboard the mothership on a single console – Utilize the onboard sonar coupled with the towed mine-hunting sonar to identify all mine-like objects (MLOs) • Then pull in the mine-hunting tow and send out the MNS ROV tow for positive identification and mine neutralization
- 10. MANTAS T38E Operations in TW20 10 Autonomously Operated but Optionally Manned for Safety Moonpool Sonar Shown Below
- 11. “Nesting the Dolls” – Into an Integrated UxV-UxV Solution • United States must be prepared to deal with peer and near-peer adversaries with robust anti-access and area denial (A2/AE) capabilities – Evolving this CONOPS led to the “Nesting Dolls” metaphor as a UxV-UxV Solution • U.S. Navy wants to keep its multi-billion-dollar capital ships out of harm’s Way – Solution is to surge unmanned maritime vehicles into this contested battlespace while its manned ships stay out of range of the adversary A2/AD systems, sensors and weapons • Navy envisions LUSVs at 200-300 ft length with displacement of 1000-2000LT – Low cost, high endurance, modular, reconfigurable – Based on commercial ship designs with capacity for various modular payloads • LUSV configured to carry, launch and recover a number of T38 (38ft) USVs • High Speed T38s can be mission configured with sensors (ISR, MCM, etc) – Can also carry, launch and recover multiple T12 USVs, UUVs, Towed ROVs, and/or UAVs • Fleet experimentation with this type of “Nesting Dolls” approach can help accelerate this process – While simultaneously developing a CONOPS for their deployment 11
- 12. “Nesting the Dolls” – A View of the Unmanned Craft • LUSV are carrying 3 or more T38 DEVIL RAY craft – Each configured with smaller USVs, UUVs, UAVs for specific missions • T38-ISR DEVIL RAY is outfitted with – Radar, EO/IR Gyro-stabilized cameras and EW Sensors – Multi-beam echosounder/sonar lowered through a moon pool near craft CG • Moon pool doors closed during transit and are remotely commanded to open – Two MANTAS T12 with thermal camera, passive EW and single beam side scan sonar • T12s mounted on two sets of twin rails aft • T12 powered up autonomously when released and placed under supervisory control – Two to Four UAV Gyrocopters mounted in bow area protected from wind/spray • Launched on command from Supervisory Controller • T38-MCM DEVIL RAY is outfitted with – Radar, EO/IR Gyro-stabilized cameras – High Resolution Multi-Beam Echosounder/Sonar lowered through moon pool – Sea Scout UUV and MNS ROV mounted on two sets of twin rails aft • T12, UAV, UUV and ROV are placed under Supervisory Control when launched • Comms from T12/UAV/UUV/ROV to T38 - then either to LUSV or direct to strike group 12
- 13. “Nesting the Dolls” – Launch and Recovery • MANTAS T38 from LUSV – Technical challenge to be considered during the contracts for the LUSV studies • Important design feature if the “Nesting Dolls” concept is to be utilized – Final Length, Beam and Deck Layout of LUSV will determine • Number & location of smaller sized USVs (i.e. T38, T50, etc) that can be carried – Hull form of smaller USVs will determine most effective autonomous launch method – Considerations can be as follows: • Modified A-frame aft • Modified traditional 7m/11m/whaleboat/etc cradle with autonomous over-the-side davit on multiple stations port and stbd • Angled slides port and stbd over-the-side or over-the-stern • Ballast system within LUSV to ballast it down to the USV deck level for direct drive- on/drive-off solution – Similar to design methodology employed by Expeditionary Sea Base USNS Lewis B. Puller – Fourth bullet ballast system may be most effective for easy carry, launch, and recovery of catamaran style USVs such as the SEA DEVIL T38, T50 13
- 14. “Nesting the Dolls” – Launch and Recovery • MANTAS T12, UUV and ROV from T38 – Each of the craft sit on an aft mounted twin rails on deck near waterline – When commanded by supervisory controller, T38 performs angular “ballast-down-aft” evolution placing stern in water. T12/UUV/ROV then commanded to slide off deck. – T12/UUV/ROV powered up autonomously when released and placed under supervisory control – Recovery of T12/UUV/ROV from T38 use same rails and a hook forward at bow to catch a recovery crossbeam attached to the rails 14 • UAV Gyrocopter from T38 – Mounted in bow section rigidly attached and shielded/covered for protection – Launch from command of Supervisory Controller • Removes cover, starts UAV, releases attachment mounts, launches UAV • Places it under supervisory control – Recovery via laser guidance to attachment mounts, touches and is captured
- 15. Operational Scenario CONOPS - “Nesting Dolls” Mission • Setting the Stage – Expeditionary Strike Group underway in Western Pacific • 500Nm from nearest landfall • Includes 3 LUSV under supervisory control of large amphibious ship – Single control station on single ship • LUSVs are configured for “Unmanned-Unmanned” Operations – Two LUSVs are each configured with quantity of 4 T38-ISR – One LUSV is configured with quantity of 4 T38-MCM • Incident in Operating Area – resulting in Strike Group Request – Obtain recon of a near-shore littoral area, associated bays and rive accesses – Determine if the entrance to a specific bay has been mined to prevent ingress – Results of recon required within 24 hours – Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2/AD) in place that limit standard manned ISR solutions – Command staff determines best solution is three LUSVs with T38-ISR and T38-MCM 15
- 16. Operational Scenario CONOPS - “Nesting Dolls” Mission • Unmanned Transit under supervisory control of Strike Group – Initially single supervisory controller for all three craft • LUSVs proceed at 25kts to a “launch waypoint” within 250Nm of shoreline (10hrs) – Autonomous independent mission scenarios for T38-ISR and T38-MCM preloaded by controllers during transit • Two LUSVs each launch 2 of the 4 T38-ISR craft – T38-ISR craft missions independently take each to locations nearshore about 50Nm apart from each other – Waypoint for ISR/EW scan starting location along shoreline • Third LUSV launches 2 of the 4 T38-MCM craft – T38-MCM craft proceed independently along different routes to location for mine-presence evaluation • USVs proceed to initial start waypoints at speeds of 70-80kts – all set to arrive at same time – On station within 4-5hrs of LUSV launch 16
- 17. Operational Scenario CONOPS - “Nesting Dolls” T38-ISR • Four T38-ISR are 50Nm apart proceeding in same direction at 12-15kts speed – Plan to cover ISR coastal scan mission in 4-5 hours – Supervisory controllers view all radar, camera and sonar data in real time at Strike Group • T38-ISR launches T12 USV on Added Mission – Payload mission controller sees shallow water bay and river access for further exploration • Controller quickly makes up autonomous mission and downloads to MANTAS T12 craft – Commands launch of MANTAS T12 configured with EO/IR Cameras and Side Scan Sonar – T38 remains at location loitering in “ballast down” low signature configuration transferring real time visual/sonar data from T12 to Battle Group – via LUSV if comms require it – T12 completes mission, returns to T38 location and is autonomously recovered. 17
- 18. Operational Scenario CONOPS - “Nesting Dolls” T38-ISR • Second T38-ISR launches UAVs on Added Mission – Supervisory payload controller sees in-shore situation that is suspect • Controller quickly makes up autonomous mission and downloads to two UAVs – Commands launch of two Gyrocopters configured with Cameras and EW equipment – T38 remains at location loitering in “ballast down” low signature configuration transferring real time visual/sonar data from UAVs to Strike Group – via LUSV if comms require it – UAVs complete mission, returns to T38-MCM location for autonomous recovery and latching to deck • ISR Mission Complete – T12 and UAVs Recovered – T38-ISR craft both return to LUSV at high speed for autonomous recovery on deck of LUSV 18
- 19. Operational Scenario CONOPS - “Nesting Dolls” T38-MCM • Two T38-MCM Independently Arrive at Suspected Mine Presence Area – Plan to autonomously and jointly scan area looking for, and recording location, of Mine-Like Objects – Scan speed at 6-8kts will require 4-5 hours to complete • T38 launches Towed Sensors – Supervisory controller sees both T38-MCM are on station and ready to commence scan • Controller confirms autonomous scan “lawn mowing” mission previously downloaded – Upon command, both craft autonomously open moon pool doors and extend hi-res sonar – Upon command, both craft autonomously deploy their Sea Scout in tow for expanded bottom resolution – EOD operators view all scans from onboard sonar and Sea Scout in real time and work with supervisory controller to take second look at any MLO considered suspicious • If MLO is detected, it is logged and located, and scan continues – T38-MCM craft complete mission, recover Sea Scout tow and onboard Sonar • Close Moon Pool hatches and return at high speed to LUSV for autonomous recovery • Three LUSVs return to Strike Group for next UxV-UxV mission assignment – Mission complete – no personnel were placed in harms way – Minimum Navy manning required on Supervisory Control Stations onboard the ship 19
- 20. “Nesting Dolls” Mission Timeline & Summary • Expeditionary Strike Group Mission Timeline Completed – LUSV detach Strike Group to T38 Launch point and launch six T38 → 10-12hrs (250Nm) – T38 transit from Launch point to mission ISR/MCM start waypoint → 4-5hrs (250+Nm) – ISR Mission and MCM Mission time from start to complete → 4-5hrs – Data sent back to Strike Group in Real Time – all data received within 18-22hrs • 24hr mission timeline for data collection and delivery to Strike Group was met • Sample CONOPS “Nested Dolls” Unmanned Systems are available today – Operational and in-use today at TRL8 and above • MANTAS 12 • Gyrocopter UAVs • Sea Scout towed UUV – Under contract for final configuration with design and fabrication contract to follow • LUSV – Operation Overlord in progress could serve interim LUSV solution – In final design and development by commercial company – prototype nearly complete • DEVIL RAY T38 Expeditionary Class USV – T38E prototype is showing good potential within scheduled Navy exercises 20
- 21. Into the Future with Maritime USV Systems • Industry partners continue to bring increasingly capable and sophisticated USVs to Navy and Marine Corps exercises, experiments and demonstrations – Allows for input from operators on how to improve the industry solutions – Industry partners are listening and complying with improvements • Operational criteria necessary in comparing multi-mission USVs – Speed – Endurance & Range – Maneuverability – Scalability – Payload Capacity – Stealth Capabilities – especially Radar Cross Section – Durability – Balance cost of initial procurement over its lifecycle costs 21
- 22. Into the Future with Maritime USV Systems • Falls on DoD Requirements and Acquisition Communities to develop a clear set of Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) for the USV – Key attributes for consideration: – Cost to procure the craft, but more importantly, life-cycle sustainment cost – Number of personnel to operate • Look for one-operator at one console for supervisory control of multiple USVs • Add on minimal payload/sensor operators for specific mission support – Number of personnel to maintain the system – MTBF, MMHPOH, Sched Maint Reqd – Time/effort to change mission package for multi-mission USV platforms – Portability / Transportability of USV along with Launch and Recovery requirements • How many classes of ships will, or won’t, accommodate it, and why – Maximize Time-on-Station and endurance between fueling • Promote hybrid systems and quick diesel refueling, alongside or in-trail – Survivability – in seastate and operability should it sustain damage – Flexibility – operational with human “in the loop” and “on the loop” • Full-control to supervisory-control and possibly zero-control 22
- 23. In Summary 23 The future of Maritime Unmanned is Here Operating them as “Nested Dolls” is Near Author contact: Jack Rowley rowleyj@martacsystems.com (985) 707-4097