The US Navy has established a new division tasked with overseeing operations of all its medium and large unmanned vessels, including the Sea Hunter and the Sea Hawk.
Called the Unmanned Surface Vessel Division (USVDIV) One, the new unit will focus on experimentation and support of the navy’s unmanned operations objectives.
The USVDIV One would also be responsible for training sailors to operate and maintain the country’s fleet of unmanned ships for future missions.
“To meet the challenges of the 21st Century, we must continue to innovate the surface force,” Cmdr. Jeremiah Daley said. “USVDIV One will accelerate the delivery of credible and reliable unmanned systems in conjunction with increasingly capable manned platforms into the fleet.”
Vice Adm. Roy Kitchener explained that the creation of the USVDIV One would be a “catalyst” for innovation as the US looks to employ unmanned surface capabilities in the Pacific Fleet.
He further stated that boosting the country’s unmanned capabilities is crucial since it will increase the decision speed and lethality of American warfighters.
Bolstering Unmanned Capabilities
The establishment of a new unmanned vessel division is part of the recent initiatives to bolster US unmanned capabilities.
Earlier this month, the US Navy unveiled its first-ever Orca Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle designed to conduct mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-surface warfare missions.
The US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) has also begun operating the Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessel in the Arabian Gulf.
The deployment will expand the 5th Fleet’s unmanned systems.
Last week, it was reported that the US is enhancing its security operations in the Middle East through unmanned vessels that utilize artificial intelligence.
“Integrating new, unmanned systems with artificial intelligence puts more eyes out on the water that we simply have not had in the past,” Vice Admiral Brad Cooper told Arab News.
