The U.S. Navy’s latest Overlord Unmanned Surface Vessel Vanguard (OUSV3), was not too long ago launched from Austal USA’s shipyard in Mobile, Ala. Vanguard is the primary USV for the Navy purpose-built for autonomous operations from the keel-up.
Vanguard is being collectively developed by a crew led by Austal USA and L3Harris. Once outfitting and testing is accomplished, Vanguard will autonomously transit to San Diego, becoming a member of sister ships, OUSV2 Ranger and OUSV4 Mariner, as a part of the Navy’s USV Division 1. USVDIV 1 is the Surface Navy group liable for the experimentation and tactical improvement of USVs. The unit additionally operates two extra USVs, Sea Hunter and Seahawk, which had been developed individually from the Overlord program.
“We are excited to see the progress the L3Harris and Austal teams are making on the construction of Vanguard,” mentioned Capt. Scot Searles, program supervisor of the Unmanned Maritime Systems (PMS 406) program workplace. “Designed and built as a USV from the beginning, Vanguard will bring new, built-in capabilities that our previous OUSVs did not possess.”
The Overlord program is managed by the Navy’s Program Executive Office for Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC) and executed by PMS 406. The program has helped to jumpstart the Navy’s experimentation with USVs and speed up Fleet data and expertise in utilizing USVs in operations. The data gained from Overlord will assist in improvement and refining of necessities for the Navy’s future Large USV program.
