AUKUS Nations Test Autonomous Maritime Capabilities

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) hosted an event to demonstrate next-generation autonomous systems designed to enhance naval operations, improve situational awareness, and bolster defense capabilities in an increasingly complex maritime environment.

The event, hosted by R&E's Prototypes and Experiments Office from 15-19 July, was conducted in support of the AUKUS Advanced Capabilities line-of-effort — known as Pillar II — and featured new and emerging technologies in preparation for future collaboration between the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.

One of the objectives of this event was to test the Autonomy Baseline (ABL), a suite of government owned software that uses the Navy's Unmanned Maritime Autonomy Architecture (UMAA) standard interfaces. Adaptability and ease of integration on multiple vessels proved the capability for future warfighter plug and play behavior integration.

The combined government and industry team successfully integrated next-generation ABL software onto sUSV platforms. The rapid integration of ABL technology onto these platforms demonstrated simultaneous command of more than 80 percent of the sUSV platforms tested. This accomplishment advances a capability that could become an effective combat multiplier for maritime forces.

To read more, visit the U.S. Department of Defense website.