Small Unmanned Surface Vehicle Propulsion System

The US Navy has successfully developed a man-portable, X-class Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) for shallow water coastal and riverine operations. Although the prototype USV has proven its utility during initial test and evaluation, several key technological hurdles remain. Increasing the top speed and extending the endurance through efficiency improvements would greatly improve this X-class USVs utility in the littoral battlespace. Such a vehicle could provide tireless autonomous forward scout capability for intelligence gathering operations in high-risk shallow water environments, among many other missions. Work done by PMS-406 has established the foundation of the X-class USV, and subsequent efforts funded through this SBIR opportunity will serve to increase its operational envelope by addressing the technological hurdles. The competing requirements of this vehicle necessitate innovative concepts to meet the performance goals. SeaLandAire in conjunction with Maritime Research Associates will optimize both the energy storage and power delivery approach to provide an efficient propulsion system thus increasing the top speed and extending its endurance.