Dstl's Bladerunner, Marine Autonomous Systems Testbed (MAST)
and how systems could support current operations. Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance is a good example of where multiple configurations of platforms and sensors were widely tested. At the conceptual level the ambition was to challenge dogma and doctrine by going back to first principles and examining how RAS could enable a completely different approach. Such transformation has the potential to change the paradigm of like‐for‐like, evolutionary capability replacement that currently exists and arguably that hampers Defence’s ability to exploit rapidly evolving technologies more easily and quickly. Importantly, this was all done in the collaborative environment that had existed since day one, with all parts of the ‘enterprise’ contributing and recognising the considerable value in doing so.
A significant part of the Royal Navy’s approach to RAS is increasingly focussed on the human element too. Unmanned, by definition, removes the human further from the point of operation or delivery. That doesn’t mean people are not involved; for example, it is UK policy that the operation of weapon systems will be under human control. In a dangerous environment, such as mine countermeasures, this is clearly a good thing and will ensure that our people are less exposed to activities that might result in casualties. Unmanned systems can be designed better for their intended tasks without the costs and constraints required of operator protection. They can be operated in more hostile and extreme environments without the risk to personnel and they can be left to operate without getting distracted or fatigued. But the adoption of RAS is not about replacing the officers and sailors that are still the Royal Navy’s greatest asset; people will still be needed. Some of them will be tasking, operating or exploiting unmanned vehicles, more and more of them will be assisted by autonomous systems, particularly where autonomy can enhance and support
Society of Maritime Industries Annual Review 2017
data processing, understanding and decision making in a world where the information workload is increasing at a rate that humans can’t keep pace with. Defence is not alone in this regard and the Royal Navy plays an active part in contributing to the wider debate on the conceptual, ethical, legal and regulatory aspects of responsible RAS operation.
Unmanned Warrior was one step on the path to the Royal Navy’s adoption of RAS. Of its many successes, the most important was the clear evidence that RAS is going to be a fundamental component of the future Royal Navy.
Commander Peter J. Pipkin BEng(hons) MSc PgDip CEng MIET Royal Navy Fleet Robotics Officer, Maritime Capability, The Royal Navy
Dstl's Bladerunner provides Unmanned protection to RFA Gold Rover
19
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40