USVS ARE A THREAT AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SAILORS
Warfare on the open seas has come a long way and continues to evolve. The unmanned surface vehicle (USV) is one of the latest technological breakthroughs militaries around the world are keeping an eye on. USVs aren’t just for military use. There are general applications that are being implemented for travel and trade, but the use of drones in war has become more and more apparent throughout the last several decades. Learn more about the present and future of naval warfare as the American Armed Forces continue to innovate and remain a leader in naval combat. Read next:6 Underwater Discoveries Reveal What the Military Has Lost in the Ocean
What Does USV Stand For?
USV stands for an unmanned surface vehicle, and it can also go by a variety of other monikers, including autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs), colloquially drone ships, or uncrewed surface vessels (also USVs). There are likely many more meanings, but the applications of USV military units primarily focus on boats that are drones.
The Future of Naval Warfare Has Already Arrived
The guide for the Navy Large Unmanned Surface and Undersea Vehicles: Background and Issues for Congress shows a direct interest in developing a variety of USVs for military use. This is what makes current developments in Ukraine so interesting. Admiral Makarov is a Russian warship that was attacked by a variety of USVs filled with explosives. The extent of the damage remains unclear, but the growing threat of such attacks is not. The attack by Ukraine at the Sevastopol Naval Base on the Black Sea Fleet could very well be the first recorded use of USVs in combat, but other warnings of such attacks were already presenting themselves. Suicide boats have been on the radar of the U.S. military for decades, especially following the successful strike on the USS Cole by Al-Qaeda. The strike killed 17 Sailors and injured 37 others. The wargame simulation known as Millennium Challenge 2002 presented how effective such attacks can be, especially against a naval force ill-prepared to handle such strikes. There's also been the use of USVs by the Iranian-backed Houthi group from Yemen to attack a Saudi Arabian ship. Now, technology is evolving at a rapid pace. The focus on naval warfare is intensifying for the American Armed Forces. The invasion of Ukraine could teach us important lessons for future conflicts. But we aren’t the only ones paying attention. China could be the biggest threat to American ships with USVs, and it's clear that the nation is watching to learn more about their effectiveness and use. Other nations are utilizing the tech, too. Even our allies in the U.K. have tested the C-Sweep USV, a drone used to neutralize mines in bodies of war. No matter what application the American Armed Forces pursues, it’s clear that amidst calls for a stronger Navy, both the use of the USV and defending against these vehicles is a rapidly growing priority throughout the planet.
USVs Will Transform Travel and Warfare
Even today with inventions in their infancy, such as the Saildrone Explorer, a wind- and solar-powered autonomous vehicle, the obvious impact of USVs is undeniable. Drones and autonomous vehicles are taking over commerce and navigation on land, in the air, on the water, and even under the sea. We're probably a few steps away from having fully autonomous vehicles, especially on the open seas, but USVs have plenty of applications. This is a great time for the U.S. military to bolster our Navy and learn how to best use what's sure to be the next evolution in war. Suggested read: Everything You Never Knew About the History of the Military Submarine
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