Unmanned Maritime Systems

 What is developing for Unmanned Maritime Systems today and tomorrow?

    According to Lockheed Martin there are some real exciting things happening in the development and growth in one system they mention called the Marlin unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV).  What sets this UUV apart from other units in use today is its ability to "think" (The Smartest Unmanned Vehicles You’ll Never See, n.d.).  Operating in the underwater environment has challenges such as obstacles like fishing nets, and strong currents, or even unexpected debris and fauna.  The Marlin is able to create 3D models of its environment, collect many different points of data and decide to alter its course in order to complete its programmed mission, all on its own (The Smartest Unmanned Vehicles You’ll Never See, n.d.).  This sounds amazing, and my mind goes to the discovery of the Titanic.  I remember watching videos of scientists inside an ROV discovering and documenting different items of the wreckage from the bottom of the sea .  I also remember being in aww of seeing something located at such a remote and silent space. 

    So, let us take a look at the Marlin from Lockheed Martin.  What does it do?  The Marlin can be used for many applications.  Ultimately, the user will mostly be limited by their own creativity.  Lockheed Martin is well known as a contractor for the military but this system has many commercial uses that can be taken advantage of today.  Any company with infrastructure under the sea can benefit from the use of the Marlin's ability to conduct underwater surveys.  Dredging companies use underwater surveys regularly to pre-plan, monitor progress of the work site, and to verify their work after dredging is complete.  Oil companies also like to have the ability to keep a good look at the condition of their underwater platforms.  One great benefit of the Marlin is that it doesn't require an operator to direct its every movement (Marlin, n.d.).   The Marlin can operate autonomously at a depth up to 1000 feet and can sprint at a mind blowing 4 knots (Marlin, n.d.).  Inspections can be conducted up to four times faster with the Marlin than with using traditional methods. 

Photo credits: Marlin | Lockheed Martin

    I've talked about the today in Unmanned Maritime Systems (UMVs).  The tomorrow in this field has to do with even greater autonomy teamed with a more full and seamless integration with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned surface vehicles (The Smartest Unmanned Vehicles You’ll Never See, n.d.).  I think this is wonderful.  I can envision swarms of UUVs working with not only other UMVs but also with USVs!  I have always been excited about shipwrecks that carried gold and treasure from centuries past.  Perhaps one day we will see discoveries being made by automated unmanned vehicles both in the sea and in the air working in concert to locate riches beyond measure. 

    I retrieved the images off of Lockheed Martin's website.  If you are interested in learning more about this particular UMS I encourage you to look at their website which is filled with videos and amazing graphics. 

Thank you for perusing my blog and looking at what is going on in unmanned systems today and tomorrow.  

References

The Smartest Unmanned Vehicles You’ll Never See. (n.d.). Lockheed Martin. Retrieved April 9, 2021, from https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/news/features/2016/webt-smart-unmanned-underwater-vehicles.html

Marlin. (n.d.). Lockheed Martin. Retrieved April 9, 2021, from https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/marlin.html