L3Harris selected to design an autonomous ship concept for DARPA
U.S. group L3Harris Technologies was chosen by U.S. Government’s Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for phase one of the two-phase No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) program. The company is selected to design a long-endurance autonomous surface ship concept.
The new design concept of an autonomous surface ship will streamline NOMARS’ construction, logistics, operations and maintenance life-cycle. The vessel is supposed to demonstrate the reliability and feasibility of unmanned naval ships performing long-distance missions.
L3Harris cooperated with VARD Marine 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 optimises autonomous surface ship operations to support the U.S. Navy’s future missions.