Leveraging Offshore Oil & Gas Technology for Handling & Refuelling

Unmanned Vehicles from Surface Combatants & Patrol Vessels

Geoff Lebans & Bill Spencer, Rolls-Royce

Malcolm Robb & Gary Webb, BAE Systems Surface Ships Ltd.

Disclaimer: opinions expressed are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of their respective companies.

Future Navy and Coast Guard vessels will use UxVs (USVs, UAVs, UUVs & Gliders) to carry

out a variety of missions

BAE Systems UxV Combatant Concept Warship

BAE Trimaran Combatant Concept Vessel

Many of the larger vessels will be

equipped with large reconfigurable

mission bay

Operation of UxVs from Legacy Platforms & Smaller Multi-Role Vessels

Type 23 Frigate

Will have considerable space & weight constraints

Expected USVs (and UUVs) will be limited to 12 m/10 tonnes