Huntington Ingalls Industries showcase new Proteus vessel
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Technical Solutions has debuted their Proteus USV. (Photo: Huntington Ingalls Industries)
Huntington Ingalls’ Proteus vessel successfully executed its autonomy capabilities demonstration.
Huntington Ingalls Industries has announced the debut of the Proteus unmanned surface vessel (USV) for testing and development of autonomous capabilities.
The 27ft Proteus USV was outfitted with Sea Machines Robotics’ SM300 autonomy system and completed a successful demonstration on 14 May.
For the demonstration, the Proteus was equipped with commercial perception sensors, including GPS; automatic identification system; depth transducer; radar and a camera enabling 360˚ field of view.
Huntington Ingalls deployed a separate 51ft dive boat during the demonstration to illustrate SM300 system’s off-the-shelf solution, including its obstacle avoidance capability and adherence to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
The Proteus USV will enable Huntington Ingalls’ continued development of autonomous capabilities and sensor fusion to support the evolving needs of both government and commercial customers.
Huntington Ingalls announced its minority share investment in Sea Machines in July 2020.
Sea Machines’ SM300 system can be outfitted to ocean capable vessels to enable scalable autonomy, from remotely controlled to fully autonomous vessel operations.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the vessel comprises a multi-mission vessel capable of being re-roled as a swimmer delivery vehicle to support the full spectrum of special operations.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![UK MoD’s confirmation of MBDA missile for Type 26 points to more European collaboration]()
UK MoD’s confirmation of MBDA missile for Type 26 points to more European collaboration
The Type 26 will also be fitted with the Sea Ceptor vertically launched air defence system that can fire CAMM missiles and a 24-cell Mk 41 vertical launch system that can fire the Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, anti-submarine rockets and long-range anti-ship missiles.
-
![Second Royal Canadian Navy Joint Support Ship is on schedule to be launched mid-2026]()
Second Royal Canadian Navy Joint Support Ship is on schedule to be launched mid-2026
While the first Joint Support Ship is currently in the final stages of outfitting, the second one is on schedule for launching next year.
-
![Is South Korea finally being taken seriously for Western submarine programmes?]()
Is South Korea finally being taken seriously for Western submarine programmes?
South Korean shipbuilders are beginning to make their mark beyond Asia, competing for major North American and European submarine programmes and becoming serious contenders on a global scale.
-
![AUKUS Pillar 2 could narrow focus to “four key areas” says UK official]()
AUKUS Pillar 2 could narrow focus to “four key areas” says UK official
Few concrete ideas have emerged so far on which “advanced capabilities” will be brought forward under Pillar 2 of the AUKUS partnership, but the Pentagon’s review of the programme could bring more clarity.
-
![Sweden’s decision on four new warships inches closer as it eyes UK, France and Spain]()
Sweden’s decision on four new warships inches closer as it eyes UK, France and Spain
Sweden decided last year that it wanted a significantly larger warship for its Luleå Class programme than originally planned, with three likely contenders that could potentially deliver within the country’s tight schedule.
