The US Navy has given its drone boats an at-sea pit stop, testing a robotic connector that can catch, refuel, and release an unmanned surface vessel (USV) without sending it back to port.
Backed by US Fleet Forces Command and the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Dahlgren and Carderock divisions, the demonstration took place off Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia.
The test paired a navy-owned T38 remotely controlled USV built by Maritime Tactical Systems with Sealartec’s towable capture and connection device (TCCD), a robotic refueling system.
During the demonstration, the training support vessel USNS Vindicator (TSV 5) towed the TCCD, which transferred a total of 400 gallons (1,514 liters) of fuel to the T38.
The system completed dozens of full capture, refuel, and release exercises during the event. Across several days of testing, it recorded about 100 successful connection cycles.
“This will allow us to have greater reliance on unmanned vessels… and we can push the USV into higher threat areas without risking manned vessels and personnel,” said Ronald Raymer, branch head for capability, innovation, science and technology integration at US Fleet Forces Command.
“It will also allow us to distribute greater capability into an area without having to invest in large, expensive manned vessels and the refueling support that.”
Toward Full Autonomy
Lessons from the test will guide further development of the TCCD as the US Navy prepares for an end-to-end autonomous refueling demonstration.
The next test will cover the entire process in a single sequence, including rendezvous, approach, capture, fuel transfer, disconnection, and return to mission.
To reach that goal, the team is working to reduce command-and-control latency for more precise maneuvering during operator-assisted tests
It will also integrate next-generation local positioning systems to support autonomous refueling.
