Spartan Scout
Spartan Scout, an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration, is a crewless surface watercraft, also known as an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) developed by the United States in 2001, and first demonstrated in late 2003. The craft, a rigid hull inflatable boat, weighs 2 tons, and is 7 metres (23 ft) in length. It has a .50 caliber machine gun, as well as various sensors such as electro-optical and infrared surveillance and surface search radar. The Spartan is capable of carrying a 3,000-pound (1,400 kg) payload. According to a press release from the United States Navy, the Spartan Scout will also come in a 11-metre (36 ft) version, capable of carrying a 5,000-pound (2,300 kg) payload.[1]
| History | |
|---|---|
| Launched: | c.2002 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Rigid hull inflatable boat |
| Tonnage: | 2 tons |
| Length: | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Capacity: | 3,000 lb (1,400 kg) payload |
| Sensors and processing systems: | Various electro-optical, infrared; Surface search radar |
| Armament: | .50 caliber machine gun |
Although a two-man boat crew is needed to deploy the Spartan Scout, once deployed it is capable of working autonomously or semi-autonomously. During its demonstration deployment, the Spartan Scout was configured for surface surveillance and force protection, although it can potentially be configured for more complex missions.[1]
References
- "Spartan Deployed on Gettysburg". Navy News Service. 22 December 2003. NNS031223-02. Retrieved 2006-01-26.
Sources
Bosworth, Michael L. (2006). "Crewless surface watercraft". Yearbook of Science and Technology 2006. McGraw-Hill.