Bourbon has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Automated Ships to support the development of an autonomous, fully-automated prototype vessel for offshore operations, in collaboration with project lead Kongsberg.
The vessel, named Hrönn, will be a light-duty, offshore utility ship for the offshore energy, hydrographic, scientific and offshore fish-farming industries.
The monohulled vessel of steel construction will be capable of also being used as a remotely operated vehicle and autonomous underwater vehicle support ship and standby vessel, providing firefighting support to an offshore platform working in cooperation with manned vessels.
Kongsberg will deliver all major marine equipment required for the design, construction and operation of Hrönn, including systems for dynamic positioning and navigation, satellite and position reference, marine automation and communication. Its vessel control systems including K-Pos dynamic positioning, K-Chief automation and K-Bridge ECDIS will be replicated at an onshore control centre, allowing for full remote operation of Hrönn.
In the second phase of the project, ASL and BOURBON will join forces to search the subsidies to finance the effective construction of the prototype.
Hrönn's sea trials will take place in Norway's automated vessel test bed in the Trondheim fjord and will be conducted under the auspices of DNV GL and the Norwegian Maritime Authority.
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.
DroneSentry-X, a cross-vehicle compatible, automated 360° C-UAS detect and defeat device, can offer 360° awareness and protection using integrated sensors. According to its manufacturer, it is suitable for mobile operations, on-site surveillance and on-the-move missions.
Funded by the country’s former president, the new C-UAS systems will be sent to the frontline where they have already been tested against Russian invading forces.
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