Launch and Recovery of GARC Small USV from LCS and EPF

The Navy continues to develop the capabilities of unmanned vehicles to perform a wide range of essential missions to expand the Fleet capabilities while reducing the cost and risk to personnel.Ā It is now recognized that the launch and recovery systems for the family of UxVs are unique to the individual vehicle which results in increased training and logistics. The objective of this project is to develop a modular launch and recovery system that will also provide the on-board handling and servicing of the Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) when used from both Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) hull types and the Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF).Ā The objective of this Phase I effort is to mature the concept design presented in this proposal by conducting analysis and trade studies so that an assessment can be made of the feasibility of the proposed system to reliably launch, to move the GARC USV when on-board the three different ships, to perform multiple levels of maintenance, and to reconfigure the installed mission systems. The L&R system developed by this effort will also be attractive to commercial users of small UxVs.