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03/10/2024
By LtGen Steve Rudder (Retired) The Ukraine employment of Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV) in attacks on the Russian Black Sea Fleet represents a window into the lethality of swarming and autonomous unmanned surface vessels. Because of their small radar cross-section, high speed, and agile maneuverability, USVs are likely going to change the face of Naval Warfare. Dr. Robbin Laird has been leading the reporting on Unmanned Systems and Kill Webs for many years and has…
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The Coming of Maritime Autonomous Systems: A New Book for 2024

03/10/2024By LtGen Steve Rudder (Retired) The Ukraine employment of Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV) in attacks on the Russian Black Sea Fleet represents a window into the lethality of… Read more »

Payloads, Lift, Autonomous Systems and EABOs

03/06/2024By Robbin Laird The Marines in focusing on EABOs have two key lift assets which can deliver autonomous systems payloads to an EABO and to do so with… Read more »

EABOs, the U.S. Navy and Reshaping Combat Clusters for Insertion of Effective Force

03/04/2024The Marines are building new capabilities for force insertion which complement more traditional ways of operating. How do you insert force in various locations to hit the enemy… Read more »

Autonomous Systems and Manned Platforms: From Teaming to Combined Ops

02/26/2024By Robbin Laird Generally, when autonomous systems are discussed in relation to manned systems, the focus is upon teaming. Images of the Australian Loyal Wingman come to mind… Read more »

Crafting a Kill Web Force: The Role of Autonomous Systems

12/12/2023By Robbin Laird In a visit to Quantico, I had a chance to talk with LtGen Karsten Heckl, who serves as the Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development… Read more »

Refocusing the Force: MAWTS-1 Works on Ways Ahead

12/12/2023By Robbin Laird During my visit to MAWTS-1 in November 2023, I had a chance several times to talk with the CO of the command, Col Eric Purcell,… Read more »

Devil Ray and Switchblade Combine to Create New Strike Capability at Sea

12/08/2023In an article by John Trevithick published on November 2, 2023, the author highlighted the weapons/platform combination represented by the Devil Ray USV with the Switchblade UAV: “The… Read more »

The Replicator Project: In Search of a Con-Ops and a Manufacturing Base

12/06/2023By Robbin Laird In August 2023, Deputy Secretary of Defense Hicks announced a new “replicator” project or initiative. As she said in her speech: “At DoD, we’ve already… Read more »

An Update on MAWTS-1: 2023

12/05/2023By Robbin Laird This report focuses on MAWTS-1 in 2023. In 2023, I interviewed the CO of MAWTS-1, Col Eric Purcell, in April and then visited the command… Read more »