Royal Navy receives C-Enduro USV
L3 ASV has delivered a C-Enduro long-endurance autonomous USV to the Royal Navy, the company announced on 5 February.
The 4.8m USV is equipped with ten sensors combining scientific and hydrographic survey equipment. The vessel operates using the ASView control system and is fitted with an autonomy package to ensure situational awareness and smart path planning. ASView enables a range of autonomous control modes, including line following, station-keeping and geofencing.
The USV will be used for military data gathering trials by the Royal Navy’s Mine countermeasures and Hydrographic Capability (MHC) programme.
Alex du Pre, MHC team lead at Defence Equipment And Support, UK Ministry of Defence, said: ‘The different ways in which the C-Enduro can be operated will allow the navy to test and develop the ability of an autonomous USV to effectively gather important hydrographic data and potentially form part of a future capability to be delivered by the MHC programme.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
-
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
-
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.
-
Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities
Funds for the second phase of this effort will be allocated in the US Department of Defense (DoD) FY2026 budget request.