An AI-enabled unmanned surface vessel (USV) is being positioned to patrol and protect European waters, with the ability to remain at sea for weeks without returning to base.
Measuring more than 12 meters (39 feet) long, STARK’s “Vanta 12” is designed to detect, track, and strike maritime targets while providing persistent surveillance and attack capabilities for naval forces.
It can integrate a range of weapons and systems, including missiles, loitering munitions, electronic warfare systems, and MBDA’s Sea Venom anti-ship missile.
The configuration allows Vanta 12 to engage larger warships as well as coastal and land-based targets, including in congested or contested environments where precision is critical.
The vessel can reach speeds of more than 40 knots (74 kilometers/46 miles per hour) and has a range of 1,200 miles (1,931 kilometers).
“Vanta 12 is the first unmanned vessel to bring together missiles, loitering munitions and surveillance to help NATO countries face down the threat,” said Mike Armstrong, managing director at STARK UK.
“Vanta is an export success story for British defense, giving our NATO allies capability that can be produced at scale, deployed rapidly and adapted quickly. Industrial deterrence is what modern warfare increasingly demands, and what Vanta 12 has been designed to deliver.”
Ushering in the Hybrid Fleet
Vanta 12’s capabilities were demonstrated at REPMUS, NATO’s largest military exercise focused on robotics and unmanned maritime systems.
The USV took part in simulated combat missions, operating alongside conventional vessels and other unmanned surface vessels.
STARK built and tested Vanta 12 in southwest England, with the platform intended to support the British Navy’s push toward a hybrid fleet combining crewed and uncrewed systems.
“There is an urgent need for NATO allies to step up their use of lower cost and scalable unmanned systems to patrol and detect, track and, if needed, strike these dangerous foreign targets,” STARK stated.
