US shipbuilder HII expands UK unmanned maritime vehicle support facility

USVs are proving popular items to show off at DIMDEX.

A Navy official said he expects by 2045 for nearly half of all naval surface vessels to be unmanned.

The company will focus on “the development, production, and lifecycle support of loitering munitions and smart weapons for Spanish and European defence programmes,” EDGE said.

The military space sector is evolving fast. Get the latest from Space Force and industry officials on what’s next for acquisition, policy and training in a new Breaking Defense eBook.

The Department of Justice alleges the equipment was made and shipped contrary to export law, but the South African company involved maintains it did nothing wrong.

Follow on ships could cost anywhere from $9 billion to $13 billion per vessel if orders begin today, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Instead of needing a specially trained human to remote pilot each drone or robot-boat, the Pentagon wants any servicemember to be able to give orders in plain English.

“We really haven’t received any answers about how you feel about the responsibilities you’re about to take on. It’s okay to tell us, and actually would be helpful,” Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker interjected…