Spartan Scout makes unmanned waves
BY Matthew French
Dec. 19, 2003
The Navy yesterday announced the first successful test patrol of an
remote-controlled, unmanned surface vessel.
The Spartan Scout, a rigid hull inflatable boat, contains enhanced
camera and sensor gear. During the test, it was controlled by
laptop users aboard the U.S.S. Gettysburg, a guided missile
cruiser. The test lasted three hours and was considered to be a
success.
Unmanned vehicles lately have made a name for themselves, as they
provide front-line troops with extended vision, sensor reach and
even fire power with the advent of the new unmanned combat aerial
vehicles (UCAVs). The Navy and the Army have made headway into the
unmanned game with surface and ground vehicles, respectively.
Navy officials argue that an unmanned surface vessel can extend the
sensor reach of surface ships, thereby protecting them from attack.
Equipped with Hellfire or Javelin missiles, unmanned surface
vessels could also one day become a potent offensive weapons
platform.
According to a Gettysburg spokesman, the test, which concluded Dec.
12, was the first unmanned operation of the Spartan Scout from a
U.S. warship at sea, and marks a significant milestone in the
future development of the Spartan Scout.
"Using a forward-looking infrared/CCD camera, Spartan Scout can
provide surveillance in a harbor, not only for Navy ships but for
U.S. Coast Guard units responsible for port security, as well,"
said Rear Adm. James Stavridis, commander of the Enterprise Carrier
Strike Group. "The unmanned surface vehicle is a harbinger of
transformation."
The Newport, R.I.-based Naval Undersea Warfare Center began
development on the first remote-controlled surface vehicles two
years ago. The Spartan Scout has since deployed ahead of schedule
with the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, serving with the Fifth
Fleet, which covers areas in the Middle East including the Red Sea,
Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean.
The results of the test were sent to the Naval Undersea Warfare
Center for evaluation.
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I think this may be old news, since it is dated last December. I
believe i saw an article somewhere saying that the RSN had some
input in this as well.
Comments on use of USV.
Is it just a Remote Control Boat? 
