USN/DARPA ACTUV program

[BAROBA]

https://actuv.darpa.mil/

From the site :

DARPA’s Anti-Submarine Warfare game goes live

April 04, 2011

Can you best an enemy submarine commander so he can’t escape into the ocean depths? If you think you can, you are invited to put yourself into the virtual driver’s seat of one of several Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) configurations and show the world how you can use its capabilities to follow an enemy submarine.

DARPA’s ACTUV program is developing a fundamentally new tool for the Navy’s ASW toolkit and seeks your help to explore how best to use this tool to track quiet submarines. Before autonomous software is developed for ACTUV’s computers, DARPA needs to determine what approaches and methods are most effective. To gather information from a broad spectrum of users, ACTUV has been integrated into the Dangerous WatersTM game. DARPA is offering this new ACTUV Tactics Simulator for free public download. [https://actuv.darpa.mil]

This software has been written to simulate actual evasion techniques used by submarines, challenging each player to track them successfully. Your tracking vessel is not the only ship at sea, so you’ll need to safely navigate among commercial shipping traffic as you attempt to track the submarine, whose driver has some tricks up his sleeve. You will earn points as you complete mission objectives, and will have the opportunity to see how you rank against the competition on DARPA’s leaderboard page. [https://actuv.darpa.mil/LeaderBoard.aspx] You can also share your experiences and insights from playing the simulator with others.

As you complete each scenario in the simulation, you may submit your tracking tactics to DARPA for analysis. DARPA will select the best tactics and build them into the ACTUV prototype.

I think some people here would like this kind of game

Cheers,

Rob

 

[Grey Havoc]

In other words, DARPA is planning to use Fuzzy Logic algorithms as a component of the command and control system.

For new members who may be unfamiliar with the ACTUV project:

[IMAGE CREDIT: DARPA/DEFENCE.PROFESSIONALS]​

http://www.defpro.com/news/details/20972/?SID=a580df7bbf83048aec74ef4f73d75758​

Some general background:
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/08/70-days-at-sea-for-new-navy-robot-subs/#more-53609

 

[OM]

...Heh, for some reason, the concept of using a game to dis/prove logistical theories reminds me of JFK Reloaded. Too bad DARPA isn't offering a cash prize for the best performances :-[

 

[Grey Havoc]

I'm not sure if this actually is the latest version (SAIC proposal) of the concept or some early program art now being used as PR fodder:

http://www.darpa.mil/NewsEvents/Releases/2012/08/16.aspx​

 

[Grey Havoc]

Via the 'Rock, Paper, Shotgun' gaming blog, a screenshot from the DARPA game, showing the original (current?) design:

 

[Grey Havoc]

Looks like the concept art a couple of posts back was based on SAIC's design after all, here's a somewhat cheesy company video via the Ares blog.

I think the earlier semi-submersible concept was better, but we'll see I suppose.

 

[Triton]

Artist's impression of SAIC concept for DARPA Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) program.

Source:
http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post:f3c18264-f66f-40eb-ab0e-92d9a90f5a7c

Video of SAIC ACTUV concept:
http://media.saic.com/videos/unmanned-autonomous-vehicles-and-vessels

 

[Jemiba]

http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,12351.0.html

 

[ouroboros]

Why a wave piercing trimaran now, rather than the original semisubmersible? Increased need for equipment above the waterline? Possibly expanding mission scope, as a littoral USV to counter LCS deficiencies? Some recognized need for more surface/AAA self defense weapons? Possible reuse of the hull form factor of the small scale test ship for the DDG-1000 Zumwalts?

 

[Grey Havoc]

Why a wave piercing trimaran now, rather than the original semisubmersible? Increased need for equipment above the waterline? Possibly expanding mission scope, as a littoral USV to counter LCS deficiencies? Some recognized need for more surface/AAA self defense weapons? Possible reuse of the hull form factor of the small scale test ship for the DDG-1000 Zumwalts?

I'd say the mission scope expansion theory holds most water, so to speak.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Via MilitaryPhotos.net: Raytheon's 5th generation hull mounted sonar to enable anti-submarine, undersea warfare (Navy Recognition)

Raytheon Company was awarded a sub-contract from Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to deliver its first 5th generation medium frequency hull mounted sonar system as part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) program.

According to the U.S. Navy, 43 nations operate more than 600 submarines; the steady increase in undersea vessels makes tracking a challenge. Raytheon's Modular Scalable Sonar System (MS3) will integrate into SAIC's prototype trimaran vessel as the primary search and detection sonar. The system is designed to provide search, detection, passive-threat filtering, localization and tracking capabilities without requiring human operation.

MS3 enables anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and undersea warfare with capabilities such as active and passive search, torpedo detection and alertment, and small object avoidance. Data from multiple sonars may be fed to a central command and control node, providing a common operating picture as part of the ASW mission. By integrating a host of capabilities in a single sonar system, Raytheon delivers an affordable solution that addresses critical naval challenges.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Original Caption: An artist rendering of the autonomous vessel. DARPA
[IMAGE CREDIT: Business Insider]

http://www.businessinsider.com/navy-wants-completely-craft-remotely-subs-submarines-2013-3

 

[Triton]

"Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel Under Construction, At-Sea Testing Expected by 2015"

Source:
http://www.asdnews.com/news-55798/Anti-Submarine_Warfare_Continuous_Trail_Unmanned_Vessel_Under_Construction,_At-Sea_Testing_Expected_by_2015.htm

An autonomous unmanned vessel designed to track quiet diesel-electric submarines spanning miles of ocean depths for months at a time with minimal human input is now under construction and is expected to set sail for testing in 2015. Leidos (NYSE: LDOS), a national security, health and engineering solutions company, has begun construction on ACTUV (Autonomous Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel) under a Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) program for the design, development, and construction of a vessel originally conceived for an anti-submarine warfare mission.

"ACTUV's advanced sensor technology should allow for continuous surveillance which, combined with the vessel architecture and design, is expected to provide autonomous safe navigation supporting Navy missions around the world," said Leidos Group President, John Fratamico.
ACTUV carries other sensors and mission packages designed to allow it to conduct a variety of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and other alternate missions. With situational sensors that can ensure safe navigation, the ACTUV trimaran has electro optics, long range and short range radar.

"A cross-disciplinary Leidos team leveraged insights and innovation from across the organization to develop the concept of the autonomous unmanned vessel. It would help keep our troops out of harm's way and provide capability in more harsh environmental conditions for a longer period of time," added Fratamico.

Maritime and hydrodynamic engineers designed the platform, and scientists and experts designed autonomy for safe navigation, status and health reporting, and sensor control and processing. Analytics experts programmed the logic for identifying other vessels and predicting their behavior.

Leidos received direction to start construction of the ACTUV from DARPA Program Manager Scott Littlefield at the conclusion of a Production Readiness Review held in February. Christensen Shipyard, Ltd. (CSL), is constructing ACTUV in Vancouver, Washington using non-traditional composite structures and modular construction techniques under supervision of Leidos and Oregon Iron Works (Clackamas, Oregon). CSL employs a lean manufacturing process with parallel work flow to complete ACTUV construction in approximately 15 months. ACTUV is scheduled to be launched on the Columbia River in 2015.

Maritime expertise at Leidos includes development of manned, low observable combat patrol craft, autonomous vehicles, payloads, and component development. Other capabilities include ocean science, phenomenology, advance modeling, and undersea simulation to support the development of ocean sensors, processing, and deployable system solutions. Leidos production facilities are located in Long Beach, Miss., Lynnwood, Wash., Sterling, Va., St. Petersburg, Fla. and Hawaii, with offices in Newport, R.I., Arlington, Va., Bowie, Md., Long Beach, Miss., Poulsbo, Wash., and San Diego, Calif.

 

[Triton]

Published on Apr 10, 2014

Leidos developed an autonomous vessel to shadow diesel-electric subs for months across thousands of miles of ocean and chase them out of strategic waters.

http://youtu.be/qwaeX5G1Qos

 

[Triton]

http://youtu.be/sfmEjI7Eo3E

 

[Triton]

Leidos has begun construction on the Autonomous Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV), a self-directed vessel equipped for at-sea intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The ACTUV is a trimaran, a vessel similar to a catamaran, but with three separate hulls.

Approved under a Defense Advanced Research Project Agency program originally for the design, development and construction of an anti-submarine warfare vessel, the ACTUV platform is intended to track diesel-electric submarines through varying ocean conditions without the need for human participation.

Artist's impression of Leidos ACTUV.

Source:
http://www.c4isrnet.com/article/20140709/C4ISRNET08/307090006/DARPA-approves-construction-ACTUV-anti-submarine-warfare-vessel

 

[Triton]

"Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV)"

Source:
http://www.navaldrones.com/ACTUV.html

7 July 2014 - An autonomous unmanned vessel designed to track quiet diesel-electric submarines spanning miles of ocean depths for months at a time with minimal human input is now under construction and is expected to set sail for testing in 2015. Leidos (formerly SAIC), has begun construction on ACTUV (Autonomous Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel) under a Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) program for the design, development, and construction of a vessel originally conceived for an anti-submarine warfare mission.

"ACTUV's advanced sensor technology should allow for continuous surveillance which, combined with the vessel architecture and design, is expected to provide autonomous safe navigation supporting Navy missions around the world," said Leidos Group President, John Fratamico.

ACTUV carries other sensors and mission packages designed to allow it to conduct a variety of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and other alternate missions. With situational sensors that can ensure safe navigation, the ACTUV trimaran has electro optics, long range and short range radar.

"A cross-disciplinary Leidos team leveraged insights and innovation from across the organization to develop the concept of the autonomous unmanned vessel. It would help keep our troops out of harm's way and provide capability in more harsh environmental conditions for a longer period of time," added Fratamico.

Maritime and hydrodynamic engineers designed the platform, and scientists and experts designed autonomy for safe navigation, status and health reporting, and sensor control and processing. Analytics experts programmed the logic for identifying other vessels and predicting their behavior.

Leidos received direction to start construction of the ACTUV from DARPA Program Manager Scott Littlefield at the conclusion of a Production Readiness Review held in February. Christensen Shipyard, Ltd. (CSL), is constructing ACTUV in Vancouver, Washington using non-traditional composite structures and modular construction techniques under supervision of Leidos and Oregon Iron Works (Clackamas, Oregon). CSL employs a lean manufacturing process with parallel work flow to complete ACTUV construction in approximately 15 months. ACTUV is scheduled for launch on the Columbia River in 2015.

 

[sferrin]

So. . .I wonder how many thousands of people the Chinese will have playing this game.

 

[Grey Havoc]

A concept from SAAB and P.T Lundin (North Sea Boats) that is similar in some respects, the Bonefish USV.

 

[fightingirish]

The hull for the ACTUV prototype is under construction in preparation for planned water-borne testing of the full prototype later this year.

Video:
https://youtu.be/DQB2oDwgd9k

https://youtu.be/DQB2oDwgd9k

WANTED: TECHNOLOGIES TO ENABLE AUTOMATED LOOKOUTS FOR UNMANNED SURFACE VESSELS
Source: http://www.darpa.mil/NewsEvents/Releases/2015/03/26a.aspx

 

[Triton]

"The Military’s Robotic Ghost Ship Passes Critical Test"
by Patrick Tucker
March 24, 2015

Source:
http://www.defenseone.com/technology/2015/03/militarys-robotic-ghost-ship-passes-critical-test/108352/

How do you keep track of increasingly stealthy Russian, Chinese and Iranian submarines? If you’re the U.S. military, you build a robotic ghost ship to follow them around the high seas.

In 2010, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, announced that they were building a 132-foot autonomous boat to track quiet, diesel-powered submarines. The program was dubbed Anti-submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel, or ACTUV.

To little notice, the system earlier this year passed a critical test, moving much closer to actual deployment and potentially changing not just naval warfare but also the way humans, ships, and robotic systems interact across the world’s waters.

In six weeks of tests along a 35-nautical mile stretch of water off of Mississippi, testers at engineering company Leidos and DARPA put the ACTUV’s systems through 100 different scenarios. The test boat, equipped with nothing more than off-the-shelf radar components, a digital area chart and some proprietary software, was able to complete an autonomous trip without crashing into rocks, shoals, or erratically behaving surface vessels. In future tests, the ship will tail a target boat at 1 kilometer’s distance.

Most importantly, the tests showed that the robot boat could execute a difficult military mission without violating the maritime laws outlined in the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. They also provided a critical proof-of-concept for machine-learning systems at sea, showing that big robots can, indeed, navigate the open seas along with cruise ships and shrimp boats. The next big challenge for the ACTUV will be the same kind of tests, but with “enemy ships” trying to block or interfere with it.

The world’s waters could soon be crowded with robot ships that almost never hit land.

Speaking at a National Defense Association Event in Virginia, DARPA program manager Ellison Urban outlined why the Navy needs sub-hunting boat bots. Diesel-electric submarines, with their nearly-noiseless engines, are incredibly difficult to track from afar. They’re also cheap at $200 million to $300 million apiece, making them affordable to the likes of Iran, which claims to have a fleet of 17. “Instead of chasing down these submarines and trying to keep track of them with expensive nuclear powered-submarines, which is the way we do it now, we want to try and build this at significantly reduced cost. It will be able to transit by itself across thousands of kilometers of ocean and it can deploy for months at a time. It can go out, find a diesel-electric submarine and just ping on it,” said Urban.

Leidos conducted the tests on a 42-foot surrogate boat while they finish construction of the ACTUV prototype vessel, the Sea Hunter, which is expected to launch this fall.

 

[seruriermarshal]

new pic

;D

 

[sferrin]

Of course with it being unmanned and undefended it would be child's play for a Chinese "fishing boat" to ram it.

 

[Moose]

It's faster than most fishing boats I know. And if the Sub that ACTUV is hounding is able to call a fishing boat it's just giving the rest of the Navy something else to track.

 

[covert_shores]

In peacetime, being unmanned is a disadvantage. If the submarine where to sink it then the other side would hardly start a war. Barely an international incident.

I still like the noise maker idea. Drop devices onto the submarine which make a huge noise.

 

[TomS]

In peacetime, being unmanned is a disadvantage. If the submarine where to sink it then the other side would hardly start a war. Barely an international incident.

I still like the noise maker idea. Drop devices onto the submarine which make a huge noise.

Actually attaching something to another nation's submarine in peacetime would be perceived as an attack, and thus very bad. Just tracking that sub is a lot less alarming.

 

[seruriermarshal]

More ACTUV pics

;D

 

[covert_shores]

In peacetime, being unmanned is a disadvantage. If the submarine where to sink it then the other side would hardly start a war. Barely an international incident.

I still like the noise maker idea. Drop devices onto the submarine which make a huge noise.

Actually attaching something to another nation's submarine in peacetime would be perceived as an attack, and thus very bad. Just tracking that sub is a lot less alarming.

both sides damaged/sunk or stole each other's unmanned waterborne devices during the Cold War without serious international incident. In fact most went unreported. Attaching clangers to subs wouldn't even make the news. It'd be an embarrassment to the receiver.

 

[TomS]

In peacetime, being unmanned is a disadvantage. If the submarine where to sink it then the other side would hardly start a war. Barely an international incident.

I still like the noise maker idea. Drop devices onto the submarine which make a huge noise.

Actually attaching something to another nation's submarine in peacetime would be perceived as an attack, and thus very bad. Just tracking that sub is a lot less alarming.

both sides damaged/sunk or stole each other's unmanned waterborne devices during the Cold War without serious international incident. In fact most went unreported. Attaching clangers to subs wouldn't even make the news. It'd be an embarrassment to the receiver.

Unmanned stuff, yes, occasionally. Shooting something active at a manned platform is a different matter. I'm hard pressed to see how one could tell the difference between a torpedo and a "noisemaker planter" until it actually hit the target sub.

 

[covert_shores]

Yes, umanned stuff like the ACTUV.

Re clangers, yes I dint think that they were guided or self propelled. Just dropped on top of the sub by a ship using active sonar, or aircraft.

 

[bobbymike]

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/02/darpa-robotic-sub-hunting-ship-to-set-sail-this-spring/

 

[bring_it_on]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ0oW3wcFuo

 

[fredymac]

Almost looks like CGI except for the people wandering around. I wonder if it's supposed to keep up with a sub that is moving at full speed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ0oW3wcFuo

 

[TomS]

I wonder if it's supposed to keep up with a sub that is moving at full speed.

Probably doesn't need to. They say it's for tracking quiet diesel subs. My thinking is that ACTUV needs a speed faster than the average speed of advance of a diesel sub but not as fast as the sub's maximum sprint speed. If the target sub sprints, the increased noise will allow ACTUV can track it at longer range, so it can afford to fall behind. When the sub slows to recharge batteries, the ACTUV may temporarily lose track on the slow (quiet) sub but the area it needs to search to regain track will be relatively small.

 

[DrRansom]

Something I wonder is how the ACTUV will operate if the foreign nation sends a warship to bump it off the sub's tail.

I could see the Chinese sending their coast guard ships to bump / ram / or generally harass the ACTUV to get it away from the submarine. As the ACTUV is unmanned, it's loss in a hostile action probably won't rise to the level of a critical, war causing, incident.

 

[sferrin]

Something I wonder is how the ACTUV will operate if the foreign nation sends a warship to bump it off the sub's tail.

I could see the Chinese sending their coast guard ships to bump / ram / or generally harass the ACTUV to get it away from the submarine. As the ACTUV is unmanned, it's loss in a hostile action probably won't rise to the level of a critical, war causing, incident.

Hell, we don't even defend our MANNED ships when China tries to ram them. China will just ram or shoot them and call it a day. You'd have to publicly state that policy is they're treated liked manned ships, if they're sunk it would be treated as an act of war, and then BACK UP YOUR WORD.

 

[DrRansom]

Something I wonder is how the ACTUV will operate if the foreign nation sends a warship to bump it off the sub's tail.

I could see the Chinese sending their coast guard ships to bump / ram / or generally harass the ACTUV to get it away from the submarine. As the ACTUV is unmanned, it's loss in a hostile action probably won't rise to the level of a critical, war causing, incident.

Hell, we don't even defend our MANNED ships when China tries to ram them. China will just ram or shoot them and call it a day. You'd have to publicly state that policy is they're treated liked manned ships, if they're sunk it would be treated as an act of war, and then BACK UP YOUR WORD.

But treating unmanned vehicles as manned, especially in context of nuclear power competition, is completely untenable. The Chinese wouldn't even need to sink it, just bump it enough that it has to return to a port for repairs.

I can see ACTUV working away from Chinese navy, but it would have to be queued into tracking the sub when the sub has moved beyond the primary patrol lanes of the Chinese Navy.

 

[sferrin]

But treating unmanned vehicles as manned, especially in context of nuclear power competition, is completely untenable. The Chinese wouldn't even need to sink it, just bump it enough that it has to return to a port for repairs.

Better yet, have a reinforced nose, a 5000lb warhead, and program it to ram the offending ship. They can hardly cry when they get hung by their own petard. And no, just because it's a nuclear power does not make it "completely untenable". Every navy has a right to defend itself against BS behavior.

I can see ACTUV working away from Chinese navy, but it would have to be queued into tracking the sub when the sub has moved beyond the primary patrol lanes of the Chinese Navy.

Pretty useless then if you can't even use it watch those you need to watch. The more I think about it the dumber this idea seems. They wouldn't even have to damage it. Just board it and sail it home or hook a rope to it and tow it home. Free goodies! <picard_facepalm>

 

[bring_it_on]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvzmxZkAbUM

 

[Moose]

They wouldn't even have to damage it. Just board it and sail it home or hook a rope to it and tow it home. Free goodies! <picard_facepalm>

The con is mounted on the prototype for trials purposes, the operational ACTUV won't have a manual helm station that could be seized. As for towing it, establishing a tow on a vessel which is cooperating is hard enough. Lassoing a vessel which is actively maneuvering against you is, well, unlikely.