BAE Systems demonstrates unmanned armed boat

Developed in collaboration with engineers from L3Harris and MSI Defence Systems, BAE’s autonomous Pacific 950 Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) demonstrator is able to operate and navigate autonomously whilst the weapons system remains firmly under a human operator’s control.

According to a statement from BAE, the vessel can operate for up to 10 days at ‘patrol speed’ or 300 nautical miles in pursuit mode, reaching speeds of up to 45 knots, whilst either being remotely controlled or on a semi-autonomous mission.

BAE added that the vessel has potential applications across a range of missions, including anti-piracy operations, border control, persistent intelligence gathering, maritime security and force protection. The use of autonomous vessels in high-risk areas would allow operations to be conducted without endangering sailors.

Commenting on the trials Mike Woods, chief technologist for BAE Systems’ Maritime Services business, said: “This technology represents a huge step forward in the interaction between human and machine, combining sophisticated autonomous technology with human capabilities to overcome many of the challenges faced in difficult conditions at sea. The boat keeps sailors out of harm’s way whilst allowing them to respond to the increasingly varied, often unpredictable scenarios they face every day, and aids faster decision making in complex and ambiguous situations.”