US Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 4 and US Coast Guard Cutter Razorbill have evaluated the unmanned diesel greenough advanced rescue craft (UD-GARC) in the Chesapeake Bay .
The joint team tested the technology during a simulated escort as part of the exercise Solid Curtain 2022 to gauge the response of the unmanned vessel. The UD-GARC has the potential to become a force multiplier and serve in a counterterrorism role, mitigating and eliminating threats to military vessels operating at sea, the officials stated.
The UD-GARC can be outfitted with various payloads, including a remote weapons system (RWS) controlled from a different location. The RWS is not specific to the UD-GARC and could be mounted on other static and mobile platforms, allowing users to locate and engage threats from a distance.
“Anytime we can put unmanned things in between the bad guys and us, we can keep our people safe,” said Paul Seiffert , principal engineer for Maritime Applied Physics Corporation.
“Using UD-GARC allows for less chance for vehicle born IEDs to go off and we can still accomplish our mission.”
Seiffert went on to explain that the UD-GARC’s possible integration into the fleet would be based on feedback from operators, using the Solid Curtain exercise to identify potential improvements.
The UD-GARC was configured with other technologies during the exercise, including an auto-targeting system as well as an advanced range finder. These tools could potentially allow the system to detect danger or vessels that may pose a threat, according to the navy.
Following the trial, US Navy personnel will analyze the results of the exercise to determine the best course of action for the technology.