C-Worker 15 large USV displayed at Oceanology International 2024
L3Harris's new USV can carry a 10,000kg payload. (Photo: L3Harris)
L3 Harris has a list of USVs, including C-Worker 4, 5 and 6, which range in weight from 1,000kg to 4,500kg. Its latest system, C-Worker 15, weighs in at 14,500kg.
L3Harris unveiled its new C-Worker 15 large USV at the Oceanology International 2024 conference in London which will run until 14 March.
The vessel has been designed to carry a range of payload options and has a 10m x 4m aft deck, which can accommodate a 20ft intermodal container and a 10,000kg payload supplied with a baseline of 40kW of power.
A gondola mounting configurable for a wide range of sensors has been fitted to the vessel. Internally, it has space for four full-height 48cm (19in) racks for topside acquisition, processing and storage hardware in an environmentally controlled peak.
The C-Worker 15 has been designed specifically for the operation of towed sensors or ROV payloads (including fully autonomous launch and recovery), offering a low-emission solution for both military or commercial data acquisition.
The company stated the vessel has 21-day endurance, and has been optimised for towed sensor and Inspection Class ROV (Class II) operations. It was designed and built to the MCA Workboat Code as a Category 0 vessel for unrestricted service areas.
Defence applications include maritime domain awareness, ISR, insertion operations support, combat SAR, deterrence, close in force protection, swarm protection/operations and surface warfare.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Coast Guard to receive the first three Offshore Patrol Cutters in FY2026 and FY2027]()
US Coast Guard to receive the first three Offshore Patrol Cutters in FY2026 and FY2027
After recording a nearly six-year delay in the OPC schedule, the USCG intends to advance with the programme, reaching multiple milestones in the short term.
-
![Japan’s first warship sale opens door to future exports but comes with strings attached]()
Japan’s first warship sale opens door to future exports but comes with strings attached
Australia’s selection of an upgraded Mogami-class frigate marks Japan’s first-ever export of a major surface combatant. With an ambitious 2029 delivery target, the deal could open the door to further naval exports – but inexperience and geopolitical friction with China loom large.
-
![Thinning Arctic ice reveals naval capability gaps and new opportunities]()
Thinning Arctic ice reveals naval capability gaps and new opportunities
As sea ice extent hits a record low and geopolitical tensions increase in the High North, navies are contending to adopt the technologies needed to operate beneath an increasingly unpredictable Arctic Ocean.
-
![Lockheed Martin confirms 2029 target date for US Navy’s Aegis/PAC-3 MSE integration]()
Lockheed Martin confirms 2029 target date for US Navy’s Aegis/PAC-3 MSE integration
Enabling Aegis-equipped vessels to launch PAC-3 MSE interceptors will give the USN more options to engage highly manoeuvrable hypersonic missiles – including the ones China has been developing.
