Autonomous capabilities open doors for expeditionary fast transport to undertake new missions
The future USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13), pictured in 2021. (Photo: Austal)
On 29 July, the USN announced the thirteenth Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transportvessel (EPF 13) was performing a series of planned test events to assess autonomous capabilities integrated into the ship to demonstrate a large ship can become a 'self-driving platform'.
Dubbed the 'Unmanned Logistics Prototype trials', the USN said each test event would increase 'the perception capabilities and complexity of behaviours demonstrated by the autonomous systems.'
As of 29 July, test evolutions included point-to-point autonomous navigation, vessel handling and transfer of control of the vessel between crewed and uncrewed modes.
Shipbuilder Austal USA told Shephard that integrating autonomous capabilities
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Naval Warfare
-
MDL and TKMS partnership becomes sole bidder for India’s $8 billion P751 contract
The partnership is understood to be the only remaining contender for the contract which could be signed in 2026.
-
US Navy seeks the best combinations of crewed vessels with commercial UAVs and USVs
The service will conduct Operation Southern Spear to identify the most appropriate manned/unmanned formations for domain awareness and counternarcotics operations.
-
Learning from Japan: how to transform a fleet at speed
At a recent event in London, lessons were shared based on the experiences of the Japanese Navy and how it has been building a fleet rapidly.