U.S. and U.K. Team Up with Unmanned Vehicles in Arabian Gulf

Robotic vehicles and weapons are usually associated with ground-based forces, but unmanned systems also are being developed for maritime use. Recent demonstrations by the naval forces of the United States and the United Kingdom showed how artificial intelligence (AI) could support unmanned maritime vehicles even when controlled and monitored by human troops from shore.

Bilateral exercises were performed in the Arabian Gulf on October 7, 2022, as part of an operation called Phantom Scope, which blended vessels from both naval forces. Three Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessels (USVs) participated alongside guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119), fast response cutter USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC 1142), and UK Royal Navy mine countermeasures vessels HMS Chiddingfold (M37) and HMS Bangor (M109).

During Phantom Scope, unmanned and AI systems worked with fully crewed ships in the Persian Gulf and naval command centers on shore in Bahrain. Sensors from unmanned vessels located and identified training aides in the water and relayed data to the command centers for further analysis (see image above).

Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces, said, “Putting more eyes out on the water enhances our picture of the surrounding seas and enables us to position our crewed ships to react more rapidly.”

Royal Navy Commodore Adrian Fryer, commander of the U.K.’s maritime component based in the Middle East, added, “Whenever we work in the maritime environment, particularly when working alongside international partners, it is critical we have relevant maritime domain awareness.” The U.S. 5th Fleet covers an area that includes the Arabian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, the Suez Canal, and the Red Sea.