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4h ago

Navy Demonstrates Robotic Refueling for Unmanned Surface Vessel

A towable capture-and-connection system transferred 400 gallons to a T38 during August tests toward a planned fully autonomous refueling capability.

A U.S. Navy T38 unmanned surface vessel, left, approaches a towable capture and connection device, center, towed by USNS Vindicator (TSV-5), right, during an Aug. 11 refueling demonstration off Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia. Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division’s Blue Water Instrumentation program led the demonstration, part of an effort to keep unmanned vessels on station longer during long-range weapons testing. (Photo: U.S. Navy)
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Overview

  • During tests in August, a Navy–industry team completed roughly 100 capture, refuel and release cycles and moved a total of 400 gallons of fuel to a T38 unmanned surface vessel.
  • The refueling connector was towed by the training ship USNS Vindicator and repeatedly mated with the T38 in open-water and pier-side exercises to validate the capture-and-connection approach.
  • Program leaders said the August demonstrations were not fully autonomous and that the next milestone is an end-to-end autonomous sequence that automates rendezvous, connection, fuel transfer, disconnection and return to mission.
  • Navy officials framed the capability as a way to keep sensor-equipped USVs on station longer for hypersonic and long-range weapons testing and to operate unmanned boats in higher-threat areas without risking crewed ships.
  • Sponsors from multiple Navy warfare centers and offices worked with industry to move the system from concept to water in seven months, and officials said the main technical gaps to close are precise relative maneuvering and local-positioning systems.