Navy-Industry Team Successfully Demonstrates Robotic Towed Connector for Unmanned Surface Vessel Refueling
A Navy-industry team successfully demonstrated a robotic towed connector capable of repeatedly capturing, refueling, and releasing an unmanned surface vessel (USV) at sea. The demonstration, conducted off Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia, featured the Sealartec towable capture and connection device (TCCD) and the Navy-owned T38 USV.
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The system completed approximately 100 connection cycles and transferred 400 gallons of fuel to the T38, moving from concept to on-water testing in seven months. Spencer Holloway, director of BWI’s Future Capabilities Office, stated that the immediate driver for the test was the need for distributed sensor nodes to remain on station during hypersonic and precision long-range fires testing. Ronald Raymer, branch head for capability, innovation, science and technology integration at U.S. Fleet Forces Command, noted that unmanned refueling allows the fleet to push USVs into higher-threat areas without risking manned vessels and personnel. Amitai Peleg, CEO of Sealartec, explained that the next step is a fully autonomous architecture where the USV maneuvers itself into position. Karl Van Deusen, senior vice president of MARTAC, described the test as a proof point for the entire class of vessel rather than a single-platform fix.
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A 38-foot drone boat that once spent 192 hours alone at sea came up behind a float towed by a Navy ship off Virginia, pushed a fuel probe into it, took on 400 gallons over dozens of hookups and let go each time, and somebody was steering the probe on ever
autonocion.com
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U.S. Navy Demonstrates USV Refueling At Sea Using Robotic Towed Connector
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US Navy refuels drone boat at sea using robotic connector in 100 trials
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Naval Warfare Center Showcases Unmanned Refueling at Sea
U.S. Department of War (.gov)