Navy ramping up production of autonomous GARC vessels
The Navy is aiming to boost production of Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft to a rate of 32 systems per month amid a broader push by the sea service to field more robotic platforms to counter China in the Pacific.
New larger autonomous vessels, with evocative names like Ghost Shark and Manta Ray, are aimed at gathering intelligence and countering new threats at sea
New larger autonomous vessels, with evocative names like Ghost Shark and Manta Ray, are aimed at gathering intelligence and countering new threats at sea.
Where Robots Dare, How the Navy’s New Rating is Shaping Current and Future Ops
Sailors assigned to Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron 3 (USVRON 3) pose with Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Crafts (GARC) at Naval Base Point Loma, Nov. 26, 2024. Robotics Warfare Specialists enable Robotic Autonomous System (RAS) operations and maintenance at the tactical edge and are subject matter experts for computer vision, mission autonomy, navigation autonomy, data systems, artificial intelligence, and machine learning on the RAS platforms. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kelby Sanders)
Where Robots Dare, How the Navy’s New Rating is Shaping Current and Future Ops
Robotics Warfare Specialist 2nd Class Kaleb Cox, assigned to Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron 3 (USVRON 3), sets up a Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) control station during a training evolution at Naval Base Point Loma, Nov. 26, 2024. Robotics Warfare Specialists enable Robotic Autonomous System (RAS) operations and maintenance at the tactical edge and are subject matter experts for computer vision, mission autonomy, navigation autonomy, data systems, artificial intelligence, and machine learning on the RAS platforms. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kelby Sanders)
Where Robots Dare, How the Navy’s New Rating is Shaping Current and Future Ops
Information Systems Technician 1st Class Selena Ortwine, left, and Robotics Warfare Specialist 2nd Class Kaleb Cox, assigned to Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron 3 (USVRON 3), set up a Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) control station during a training evolution at Naval Base Point Loma, Nov. 26, 2024. Robotics Warfare Specialists enable Robotic Autonomous System (RAS) operations and maintenance at the tactical edge and are subject matter experts for computer vision, mission autonomy, navigation autonomy, data systems, artificial intelligence, and machine learning on the RAS platforms. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kelby Sanders)
Where Robots Dare, How the Navy’s New Rating is Shaping Current and Future Ops
Robotics Warfare Specialist 2nd Class Kaleb Cox, assigned to Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron 3 (USVRON 3), sets up a Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) control station during a training evolution at Naval Base Point Loma, Nov. 26, 2024. Robotics Warfare Specialists enable Robotic Autonomous System (RAS) operations and maintenance at the tactical edge and are subject matter experts for computer vision, mission autonomy, navigation autonomy, data systems, artificial intelligence, and machine learning on the RAS platforms. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kelby Sanders).
MSC’s Taluga Group Envisions Maritime Logistics Differently
As the Military Sealift Command (MSC) celebrates its 75th anniversary, forward-thinking innovation is driving the future of maritime logistics and operations. The Taluga Group, an innovation cell named after the storied USNS Taluga, is at the forefront of adapting existing technologies to meet modern challenges. One standout example is the Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC), an unmanned surface vessel (USV) developed by Maritime Applied Physics Corporation (MAPC). GARC is being evaluated for a range of missions, including logistics and anti-terrorism force protection. With its autonomous capabilities, GARC offers the potential for delivering critical supplies to remote locations safely and efficiently, even in contested environments, aligning with MSC’s mission to enhance operational reach while reducing risk.
AUKUS delivers cutting-edge autonomous maritime technology.
At Jervis Bay this week, the Maritime Big Play showcased innovative AUKUS technologies that will support trilateral operations from deep underwater to the edge of space.
AUKUS Partners Complete Successful Tests of Autonomous and Networked Systems in Maritime Experimentation
The United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom recently completed successful tests of autonomous and networked systems during the Autonomous Warrior 24 event, part of the Maritime Big Play initiative aimed at enhancing maritime awareness through networked autonomy. This three-week experimentation allowed AUKUS partners to improve interoperability and refine their capabilities in operating uncrewed maritime systems, focusing on real-time data sharing and decision-making. The tests featured various technologies, including software-defined acoustic modems and low-cost unmanned vehicles, and highlighted the importance of collaboration in creating more efficient defense strategies. As Under Secretary of Defense Heidi Shyu noted, this trilateral effort supports a stable region where nations can safeguard their sovereignty.
Johns Hopkins APL Testing New Software Platform for Navy USV Operating Systems
As the U.S. Navy continues to push the boundaries of uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) capabilities, the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory’s development of the Autonomy Baseline Library (ABL) showcases the importance of open-architecture systems that rapidly scale and evolve. Tested during the T-REX event in March and set for further trials at the Autonomous Warrior exercise, this cutting-edge software highlights how innovation is shaping the future of naval operations.