Gibbs & Cox to develop unmanned sea train concept
The US is keen to explore the potential of USVs for naval logistics
DARPA has selected Gibbs & Cox to develop and demonstrate a Connectorless Sea Train concept, under a multi-phase contract worth a baseline $9.45 million.
Gibbs & Cox announced on 5 October that it will leverage its USV capabilities ‘to integrate advancements in integrated system design, robotic controls, autonomy, and hydrodynamic optimisation’.
The company will apply its Articulated Resistance Minimized Autonomous Deployment (ARMADA) technical approach to the Connectorless Sea Train.
ARMADA seeks to reshape maritime vessel capabilities, enabling long-range deployments of medium-sized autonomous surface vessels without the need for either in-port or at-sea refuelling.
DARPA and the USN unveiled the Sea Train concept in December 2019 as a means of using MUSVs and large USVs for naval logistics and cargo missions.
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