Researchers examine new USV design methods
The ONR has contracted a research team at the University of Maine to explore advanced manufacturing concepts for USVs (pictured is the DARPA NOMARS concept). (Photo: DARPA)
A team at the University of Maine will define a path forward to support advanced manufacturing of USVs, under a contract from the US Office of Naval Research.
The University of Maine will explore ways of improving the manufacture of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) with composite materials under a new $9.51 million contract from the US Office of Naval Research.
Researchers will build design and analysis tools to examine structural aspects of USVs, including existing manufacturing equipment, the DoD announced on 15 September.
The researchers will also define a ‘path forward to support advanced manufacturing of USVs’, it added.
The team will apply design tools to fabricate and test vessel structures; design, fabricate and test a scaled USV; design, fabricate and evaluate a large-scale USV using advanced manufacturing processes; and develop structures with hydrodynamic surfaces for tow tank model testing.
Work is expected to be completed by 14 September 2025.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![IDEX 2023: Autel Robotics showcases DJI challenger drone]()
IDEX 2023: Autel Robotics showcases DJI challenger drone
Autel Robotics presented its Dragonfish series and EVO Max 4T at IDEX 2023, hoping to challenge DJI's market dominance with the latter.
-
![BAE and Innovaero debut Strix, Australia’s first domestic armed VTOL UAS]()
BAE and Innovaero debut Strix, Australia’s first domestic armed VTOL UAS
At the Avalon Airshow, BAE Systems Australia debuted Australia’s first domestically designed, built and armed VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) uncrewed air system (UAS), the Strix.
-
![Enhanced autopilots pave way to autonomy for US multi-engine jets]()
Enhanced autopilots pave way to autonomy for US multi-engine jets
The USAF has commissioned a year-long autonomy study by Reliable Robotics for large jet aircraft.
-
![IDEX 2023: Black Eagle UAV gets miniature airborne radar]()
IDEX 2023: Black Eagle UAV gets miniature airborne radar
Integrating the radar into the Steadicopter UAS allows the rotorcraft to spot potential maritime threats.
-
![IDEX 2023: KAI showcases developmental tiltrotor UAV]()
IDEX 2023: KAI showcases developmental tiltrotor UAV
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is showcasing two developmental uncrewed platforms at IDEX 2023, the Night Intruder 500 Vectored Thurst (NI-500VT) and Air Launched Effect (ALE).
