Armed USVs: A Deeper Dive
The U.S. Navy's recent testing of a Protector unmanned surface vessel with the Precision Engagement Module (PEM) weapons system warrants deeper analysis than provided by news reporting. The project is sponsored by the Chief of Naval Operation's Expeditionary Warfare Division (N95) and the Naval Sea Systems Command's Naval Special Warfare Program Office. To understand the ramifications of this testing, it's worthwhile to elaborate a bit on the components that make up the PEM: Protector 11 Meter Variant unveiled at Euronaval 2012 (Photo Courtesy of Shepherd Media ) Protector USV - The U.S. Navy's Protector is a joint development between Israel's Rafael, BAE Systems, and Lockeed Martin. Originally conceived as a platform for force protection and port security, the 11 meter vessel's new armament opens up a range of possibilities for future employment (discussed below). Much like a UAV, the Protec...