The future of military operations is taking shape beneath the waves and on the ocean’s surface with the recent advancements in unmanned maritime vessels. A striking leap forward comes from the Australian Department of Defence’s announcement of its ambition to introduce six Large Optionally Manned Surface Vessels (LOSVs) by the 2030s. Mirroring the United States’ own Large Unmanned Surface Vessel (LUSV) program, this initiative represents a significant pivot towards a new era of maritime warfare where autonomous technologies play a central role.
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) plans to supplement its current fleet with LOSVs, equipped with 32-cell Mk41 Vertical Launch Systems (VLS) and Lockheed Martin’s Aegis Baseline 9 combat system. This advanced system paves the way for Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC), which is highly coveted and only shared by the US Navy with Japan and Australia. The introduction of these LOSVs will enhance the RAN’s capabilities in Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) defense and Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) operations. They will not only support the RAN’s Hobart-class AAW destroyers and Hunter-class Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) frigates but also protect Australian troops, allied ships, and population centers from hypersonic threats.
The importance of these advancements was underscored at the Sir Richard Williams Foundation seminar, which focused on multi-domain operations and the requirements of an Australian maritime strategy within the context of the Defence Strategic Review. As one seminar participant noted, “a multi-domain operations discussion builds on the work of the Foundation since 2014 upon building a fifth-generation force, which after all revolves around sensor-shooter relationships built across an integrated force delivering multi-domain effects or what I prefer to call a kill-web enabled force.”
A key strategic focus is how to utilize the current force to its fullest potential while planning for future advancements to create a more lethal and survivable force. As one seminar speaker put it, “When you add a specific target of what is that force in being operating in support of, inevitably gaps are identified, and the question then is how do you close the most significant gaps which threaten your security and defence interests.”
Australia is not alone in this maritime shift. The U.S. Navy is making strides with its own LUSV program, aiming to add adjunct missile magazine capacity to its fleet as part of the Distributed Maritime Operations concept. The U.S. LUSV envisions a low-cost, high-endurance, modular unmanned surface vessel to carry various payloads, supporting Carrier Strike Groups and other combat formations.
Amidst these advancements, the Royal Australian Navy has already demonstrated significant progress with the successful Sea Acceptance Trials (SAT) of the remote and autonomously operated vessel Sentinel. This trial vessel employed advanced autonomy software to navigate reliably, marking an important milestone towards the integration of autonomous technology within the RAN.
Despite the excitement around these autonomous maritime vessels, there are concerns about the strategic balance. One must consider how these capabilities fit into the broader strategic context, such as Australia’s ‘Strategy of Denial’ and the shift towards a ‘focused force’ with a disproportionate maritime investment.
As defence analysts like Dr. Robbin Laird have highlighted, the future of defense is not just about technological advancements but also about preparing for high-end conflict through training and strategy development.
Relevant articles:
– Robbin Laird, Author at Second Line of Defense, SLDinfo.com
– Dr. Robbin F. Laird, SLDinfo.com