Super Swarm (SS)
Abstract
Swarming is a concept that allows for multi-domain, heterogeneous swarms of unmanned systems capable of rendering the counter's ability to scale either inadequate or irrelevant and includes offensive and defensive operations, own and adversarial employment, and a physical battlespace ranging from open ocean to ashore. The Super Swarm (SS) INP effort will develop an autonomous control system for multiple USV's consisting of cooperative task allocation, cooperative route planning/behaviors and shared situational awareness. The Swarm autonomy technology is leveraged by other programs including the Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MDUSV) and the Autonomous USV FNC program. It will consist of the employment of sustainable large-scale robotic swarm warfare across all domains ahead of our adversaries to obviate costly and vulnerable legacy platforms and to gain a competitive advantage. The Activity identified in Project Unit 3459 specifically addresses Advanced Technology Development in support of the Super Swarm INP effort. INP investments represent game changing technologies with the potential to revolutionize operational concepts. They are disruptive in nature, as they would dramatically change the way naval forces fight. Due to high technical risk, INPs typically have long duration but have no more than three years between decision points. INPs do not develop hardware for service use, rather they prove technological and production feasibility, and show naval utility and acquisition potential. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) demonstrates INPs in relevant environments. Successful experimentation and demonstrations present the Department of the Navy with disruptive capabilities that may lead to the obsolescence of existing capabilities and acquisition programs. The Department of the Navy would have to make significant acquisition decisions to integrate the new technological capabilities into naval warfighting systems. INPs are selected by a process that involves senior leadership in the Department of the Navy. Information security concerns preclude fully detailed descriptions of project efforts, research activities, and technology development plans. Specific information on each project and activity will be provided separately to the Congressional oversight committees.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2021
- Source ID
- 3459_0603801N_3_1319_PB_2021
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