UNITAS 25 provides lessons for integrating unmanned systems in hybrid fleet

The US Navy deployed unmanned systems such as the Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC), shown here, during ‘UNITAS 25ʼ. (US Navy)

Overcoming the challenges of introducing a large number of autonomous and robotic systems into a large multinational exercise such as ‘UNITAS 25ʼ helped provide a set of lessons for the integration of systems into a hybrid fleet with manned platforms, according to Rear Admiral Carlos Sardiello, commander of US Naval Forces Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)/US 4th Fleet.

“The most difficult thing pulling this exercise together is the integration of so many autonomous and robotic systems,” Rear Adm Sardiello said on 6 October during a media briefing following the closing of the ‘UNITAS 25ʼ event aboard aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75) in Norfolk, Virginia.

“You can tell [the] robot where to be, at the right place and right time,” he added. However, he also said these systems and platforms had a very low signature, creating a possible confliction issue with more conventional platforms.

“You have to keep manned safe at [the] same time,” he said. “We had some successes. We also had some lessons.”

Now, these lessons have to be applied to help develop the hybrid fleet, while underscoring the importance of harnessing the autonomous and robotic technologies, Rear Adm Sardiello added.

“The nature of conflict is evolving,” he said, noting the need to “rapidly advance a complementary” force along with conventional maritime power.

Regarding autonomous and robotic systems, he said, “It's not just about systems; it's about data and how to process [that data].”

Using such systems, the US Navy (USN) needs to operate at the “speed of decision” and “stay inside [the] adversary's ability to respond”, he added.