First of all - why aren't you at the beach? Summer is almost over. Well, now that you are here, put your thinking caps on.I am sure most of you have noticed that for the last week, CDRSalamander has a new sponsor, Piranha USV. Before their ad expires, I wanted to open the floor for discussion of the project.
Unlike the Maritime Binary who are always of a mind that a new toy must do everything or it is of no use, I have always been a fan of UAV/UAS/USV when used as a good risk mitigator and cost effective tool.
I'll start the conversation, but in comments please don't limit the discussion to this one mission area.
As we have documented here many times, Mine Warfare in the Korean was a mess for all. Especially when there is a mine field between where you are and where you want to go - and that mine field is within range of a diversity of other weapons controlled by the enemy - it is a tough nut.
The pic above is from their gallery - and it had me thinking. If you have a robust MIW USV that you could put out there well ahead of time - and if transported by heavy lift fixed wing - you get an element of surprise that you wouldn't otherwise have. It is a way to mitigate the mine threat without showing your hand because your MIW ships put-putting towards their area. You also mitigate putting dozens to hundreds of Sailors unnecessarily in harm's way.
Perfect? No. But done right .... I am open to ideas and testing. Thoughts? Check out their proposal.
Unlike the Maritime Binary who are always of a mind that a new toy must do everything or it is of no use, I have always been a fan of UAV/UAS/USV when used as a good risk mitigator and cost effective tool.
I'll start the conversation, but in comments please don't limit the discussion to this one mission area.
As we have documented here many times, Mine Warfare in the Korean was a mess for all. Especially when there is a mine field between where you are and where you want to go - and that mine field is within range of a diversity of other weapons controlled by the enemy - it is a tough nut.
The pic above is from their gallery - and it had me thinking. If you have a robust MIW USV that you could put out there well ahead of time - and if transported by heavy lift fixed wing - you get an element of surprise that you wouldn't otherwise have. It is a way to mitigate the mine threat without showing your hand because your MIW ships put-putting towards their area. You also mitigate putting dozens to hundreds of Sailors unnecessarily in harm's way.
Perfect? No. But done right .... I am open to ideas and testing. Thoughts? Check out their proposal.
