DARPA picks L3 Harris for autonomous ship project
Written by Marine Log StaffL3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) reports that it been selected to design an autonomous surface ship concept for the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in phase one of the two phase No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) program.
The program aims to demonstrate the reliability and feasibility of an unmanned ship performing lengthy mission.
“L3Harris continues to pioneer innovative autonomous solutions that offer fully automated and integrated ship control and preventative maintenance systems to the U.S. Navy and its allies,” said Sean Stackley, president, Integrated Mission Systems, L3Harris. “The NOMARS program selection reinforces our commitment to deliver highly reliable and affordable autonomous solutions that transform the way the U.S. Navy conducts its future missions.”
The L3Harris design concept will streamline NOMARS’ construction, logistics, operations and maintenance life-cycle. The company has teamed with Vard Marine Inc. to validate the concept and design of the architecture and hull, mechanical and electrical systems.
The L3Harris design features an advanced operating system that can make decisions and determine actions on its own—without direct human interaction. This concept optimizes autonomous surface ship operations to support the U.S. Navy’s future missions.
L3Harris is a leader in Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) systems, with over 125 USVs and optionally manned vehicles delivered. The company’s USVs are actively serving U.S and international navies, universities, research institutions and commercial businesses.