Contested Logistics at Scale - Bringing USVs On and Off the Beach

Autonomous systems are crucial for safeguarding service members from hazards and enhancing the efficiency of laborious tasks, revolutionizing military tactics. The DoD's global presence heavily relies on labor-intensive and repetitive tasks, which can be significantly alleviated by autonomous solutions. With unmanned surface vessels (USVs), the last mile from navigable water to the beach or to the dock has been a limitation on autonomy. The Marine Corps envisions operating in contested environments where autonomous logistics and utility craft deliver vehicles and cargo to the beach or landing area. To truly operate at scale, these vessels must be able to land and depart the beach without a human operator, either onboard or remote. Triton proposes the development of the autonomous capability to navigate the surf zone, land safely on a beach, and return to sea.