USCG to test and evaluate Sharktech
Sea Machines Robotics is partnering shipbuilder Metal Shark Boats to supply the US Coast Guard (USCG) Research and Development Center (RDC) with a new Sharktech 29 Defiant vessel.
The 29ft (8.84m), welded-aluminium monohull boat will be used to test and evaluate the ‘capabilities of available autonomous vessel technology’, Sea Machines announced on 29 September.
The Sharktech 29 Defiant for the USCG project is equipped with the Sea Machines SM300 autonomous-command and remote-helm control system for transit autonomy, collaborative autonomy, collision avoidance and remote vessel monitoring.
In demonstrations scheduled for October off the coast of Hawaii, the RDC team will test and evaluate the autonomous capabilities of Sharktech to potentially support USCG missions such as surveillance, interdiction and patrol.
Following the Hawaii demonstrations, the autonomous vessel will be returned to the RDC for additional testing to investigate applications in various Coast Guard missions. ‘The exercises will ultimately help us determine how, when, and if this innovative technology can be used to support personnel who are executing a variety of Coast Guard activities,’ said Derek Meier, USCG Assistant Demonstration Director.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, Sharktech kit is designed to be fitted to Metal Shark boats ranging in length from 16ft to 300ft.
Sharktech 29 Defiant is already available on the commercial market. In July 2020, Sea Machines partnered Huntington Ingalls Industries to accelerate the deployment of self-piloting technologies on unmanned naval boats and ships.
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