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In such context, flexibility is crucial. That is why ST Engineering – a global technology, engineering and defence group – has developed the AUTONOMAST™, a modular kit that converts crewed vessels into Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV). The AUTONOMAST™ provides navies and maritime agencies the flexibility to move to unmanned at their own pace, where it is most adequate, and without having to immediately commit time and resources to acquiring unmanned vessels.
Moving to autonomy…
Over the past few years, geopolitical tensions have been growing in multiple regions around the world. For several navies, this has translated into increasing pressure on the finite amount of resources at their disposal – funds, capabilities and crew. Similarly, where local maritime authorities could provide critical support – e.g., Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) patrolling and protection – the growing number of threats to maritime security in these zones is stretching those resources thin.
To address these issues, several countries have started integrating unmanned systems to their fleet. From Mine Countermeasures (MCM) missions, which are increasing as mine warfare makes a comeback, to patrolling and Search and Rescue (SAR) missions, the trend is toward replacing humans where it makes the most sense: in dull, dirty and dangerous missions.
In fact, the global USV market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.6% between 2022 and 2030, according to a Research and Markets report on the Global USV market published in February 2024. Currently, the biggest USV market is the US (US$196.6 Million in 2022), however a number of other countries have significant CAGR for the period between 2022 and 2030 (9.8% for China, 9.6% for Japan and 8.7% for Canada).
But acquiring unmanned systems from scratch may not be suitable to every navy and maritime agency across the globe. In some countries, the cost of acquiring technologies from a still maturing market – both technologically and in terms of regulatory framework – may be initially too high, whether in terms of acquisition or to set up production facilities.
“With the AUTONOMAST™, which features a small toolkit – the whole toolkit fits into most cabin real-estate – ST Engineering’s goal was to alleviate the pressure of this initial dilemma,” says Andrew Yue, Head of International Business for the Unmanned & Integrated Systems unit. “By developing a system that can turn any crewed vessel into a USV, our aim is to facilitate navies’ and maritime authorities’ access to USVs.”
Jin Kiat Chua, Head of International Business for the Defence and Public Security cluster adds, “The AUTONOMAST™ builds on our experience and innovation-led approach developing capabilities for the Singapore military over the past 50 years. With a small population and declining birth rate meaning fewer recruits for Singapore’s conscript armed forces, innovation in the USV space is but a key necessity. And this is one of the several innovations across the respective domains that we are now taking to the international market.”
To date the system has been successfully integrated into several ships in different countries, from small vessels (15m) all the way to Ro-Ro ships. The whole integration process takes between 6 and 12 months, depending on complexity and compatibility.
… across a wide range of missions…
ST Engineering designed the AUTONOMAST™ to assist navies and maritime authorities in carrying out a wide range of missions.
Featuring fused radar and panoramic vision, the system provides the USV with a 360° situational awareness, making it capable of detecting objects as small as a buoy. This is crucial not only to carry out missions requiring detection, identification, and tracking – and EEZ patrolling against illegal activities – but also to ensure safe navigation in any environment.
Additionally, mesh Wi-Fi, LTE and satellite communications allow secure connections between the operator control station and the USV. Combined with pan-tilt-zoom optics, which allows operators to control the lens remotely, and a powerful searchlight, the AUTONOMAST™ provides not only excellent situational awareness but also positive control authority over the vessel. Such features greatly facilitate missions such as patrolling and interdiction.
Today, the AUTONOMAST™ is the first system of its kind to be operationally proven. It has been successfully deployed in the Singapore Straits, with over 10,000 hours of operations in one of the busiest maritime environments in Asia. ST Engineering has also supported some of the most advanced USV developments globally, with proven successes in coastguard, maritime security, and MCM operations.
… without limiting your options
With rapid advancements in technology, the AUTONOMAST™ has been designed to allow room for growth.
From a software point of view, the past 15 years of development have brought significant enhancements to the system as ST Engineering continues to integrate the latest technological innovations. Case in point, today the AUTONOMAST™ features Artificial Intelligence (AI) software to enable smart navigation as well as a state-of-the-art obstacle detection software that facilitate obstacle avoidance and mission planning. With time, software evolutions have offered more room for operators to focus on mission-related objectives, reducing mundane tasks.
Similarly, because this a factory-assembled solution that is calibrated and designed for easy on-site installation, it provides ST Engineering teams the flexibility to work closely with its customers to provide a system best suited to their needs. From the first meeting all the way to delivery, ongoing discussions provide the basis to understand where the AUTONOMAST™ might need adapting to better suit specific mission profiles.
And if/when customers feel ready to move on to acquiring whole USV solutions, ST Engineering can work with them to deliver its latest Venus-10 USV. A modularised solution – it can be transported by air or sea in a 40ft ISO container – Venus can be easily deployed any anytime, anywhere.
Ultimately, the aim is to chart the easiest course toward unmanned system integration within a fleet.
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