[Military Story] Military Powers Rapidly Deploy Maritime Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Combat

US Deploys Unmanned Surface Vessels Near Middle East and Pacific
China Operated 200t-Class Unmanned Surface Vessel for the First Time Last Year

The future of our navy will pursue a manned-unmanned hybrid system, known as the 'Navy Sea GHOST.' Maritime unmanned systems are a core force in future battlefields, utilized in anti-ship, anti-submarine, and mine warfare to minimize human casualties. Last June, the navy demonstrated a manned-unmanned hybrid amphibious operation. Six ships, three aircraft, three Kaoh amphibious assault vehicles (KAAV), and special forces teams were deployed as manned forces, while about 30 unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were mobilized as unmanned forces. This signifies that the manned-unmanned hybrid system is approaching reality.

During the final rehearsal for the 75th Armed Forces Day held last year at Seongnam Seoul Airport, unmanned surface vessels are maneuvering in formation. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Domestic companies have also started moving swiftly. A representative vessel is the unmanned force command and control ship (6,000 tons) called the 'Ghost Commander.' The Ghost Commander can carry various types of unmanned aircraft, unmanned surface vessels, and unmanned submarines to conduct operations at sea. Industry insiders suggest that the navy's currently operated frigates can carry two high-speed boats, with one of them potentially replaced by an unmanned surface vessel.

Navies worldwide are also accelerating the deployment of unmanned systems in actual operations. The U.S. Navy, which possesses the world's strongest naval power, has begun actively using unmanned warships to counter the Chinese navy. The U.S. Navy's 3rd Fleet deployed the unmanned surface vessels (USVs) 'Mariner' and 'Ranger' to the Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan last year for the 'Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 23.2' exercise. IBP 23.2 focused on verifying the performance of USVs alongside manned vessels in the area under the jurisdiction of the U.S. 7th Fleet. This was the first deployment of U.S. Navy USVs in this region. These USVs are known to be equipped with SM-6 missile modules capable of intercepting enemy missiles or striking opposing warships.

The U.S. Navy has been experimenting with USVs for some time. It is advancing the 'Ghost Fleet Overlord' program, which integrates autonomous operational systems into the navy, initiated in 2018. Small USVs have already been deployed in the Middle East to monitor the Iranian navy. This so-called 'Task Force 59' project was conducted in cooperation with Saudi Arabia and Israel. The six deployed USVs are larger and equipped with more sophisticated sensors than the relatively simple small USVs stationed in the Middle East. Former U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations Michael Gilday argued in the navy's '2022 Navigation Plan' (NAVPLAN) report last July that, in response to the growth of the Chinese navy, the U.S. should possess 373 manned vessels and 150 unmanned vessels by 2045.

China is also accelerating the development of USVs. In June last year, it operated its first domestically developed 200-ton unmanned surface vessel. The autonomous test run conducted off the coast of Zhejiang Province was successful. China also possesses amphibious USVs. These USVs were first unveiled at the China Airshow held in Zhuhai in November 2018. The Marine Lizard prototype is made of aluminum alloy, measuring 12 to 13.5 meters in length and 4.14 meters in width. Its propulsion system uses a hybrid diesel-electric system composed of two diesel generators. The Marine Lizard is designed for fully autonomous mode but can be remotely controlled via line-of-sight communication from a coastal or ship-based command center up to 50 km away. When using satellite communication, it can be controlled over longer distances. The Marine Lizard uses its own battery to remain dormant for eight months and can be activated as needed for surveillance or even surprise attacks. This implies that it can be ambushed at strategically important islands or forward bases and deployed during wartime situations.