Ghost Fleet Overlord

The unmanned surface vessel USV Nomad transiting the Pacific as part of RIMPAC 2022.

Ghost Fleet Overlord is a fleet of test unmanned surface vehicles operated by the U.S. Navy.[1]

Ghost Fleet Overlord is being developed by the Department of Defense’s Strategic Capabilities Office.[1] It is a partnership between the Defense Department's Strategic Capabilities Office and the Navy.[2]

Vessels

[edit]

As of January 2024, the fleet consists of four ships delivered. The first is USV Ranger,[3] the second is USV Nomad,[1] the third is USV Mariner,[4] and the fourth is USV Vanguard, launched on January 15, 2024.[5]

While technically "uncrewed", the ships carry a crew of six human sailors. Most of the ship's functions are automated, but can be carried out manually by the onboard human crew if the need arises.[6]

Weapons

[edit]

USV Mariner is outfitted with next-generation command and control systems and a virtualised Aegis Combat System.[7] Its test will help in putting combat systems on Large Unmanned Surface Vehicles.[8]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c LaGrone, Sam (7 June 2021). "Ghost Fleet Ship 'Nomad' Arrives in California After 4,421 Nautical-Mile, '98 Percent' Autonomous Trip". USNI News. United States Naval Institute. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  2. ^ Lopez, Todd. "DOD's Autonomous Vessel Sails Through Transit Test, Participates in Exercise Dawn Blitz". DoD News. U. S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Ghost Fleet Overlord Unmanned Surface Vessel Program Completes Second Autonomous Transit to the Pacific". Release. United States Department of Defense. 7 June 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Unmanned Surface Vehicle Mariner Next Ghost Fleet Vessel to Join the Navy". USNI News. 2022-08-23. Retrieved 2022-08-25.
  5. ^ "Austal USA Launches Vanguard USV For U.S. Navy". Naval News. 2024-01-15. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  6. ^ Slayton, Nicholas (August 28, 2022). "The Navy's 'ghost fleet' is growing". Task & Purpose.
  7. ^ Salerno-Garthwaite, Andrew (August 21, 2023). "Leidos secures $95m contract to manage Overlord and medium USV".
  8. ^ "Unmanned Surface Vehicle Mariner Next Ghost Fleet Vessel to Join the Navy - USNI News".