This method allows for quicker development and adaptation to real-world requirements.
One of the notable companies working with TF59 is Saildrone, which has been a partner from the beginning.
Saildrone’s unmanned surface vessels have been deployed to operate for extended periods, collecting and relaying valuable surveillance data to the Fleet.
Richard Jenkins, CEO of Saildrone, praised TF59 for its rapid and bold goals and noted that real-world operations in an adversarial environment have provided invaluable lessons.
Furthermore, Jenkins mentioned instances where Iranian forces attempted to capture Saildrone’s unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), leading to unexpected insights that could not have been gained through hypothetical scenarios.
TF59’s success has demonstrated that commercial unmanned surface vessels can play a vital role in military operations, especially in challenging regions like the Persian Gulf.
Bryan Clark, a naval expert and senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, noted that one of the significant takeaways from TF59 was the ability of these vehicles to create mesh networks at sea, enhancing military communication and security.
The persistent surveillance carried out by TF59’s drones has also positively impacted regional security by deterring illegal activities such as trafficking and illegal fishing. Clark emphasized the profound effect this has had on the security of the region.
What Lies Ahead: The Future of Unmanned Surface Vessels
Captain Corridan highlighted some developments that TF59 is currently working on, including improving artificial intelligence to identify items of concern from drone sensors and raise alerts.
This advancement will allow a single sailor to control up to 100 drones, significantly reducing the cognitive burden while gaining a time advantage over potential adversaries. The aim is to transition from a reactive state to a proactive and predictive state.
Likewise, TF59 is exploring ways to operate in environments where Global Positioning System (GPS) and conventional communication methods may not be available, ensuring adaptability to various scenarios.
The impact of TF59 is not limited to the Fifth Fleet’s area of operations.
In April, the Navy announced plans to apply the lessons learned by TF59 to the Fourth Fleet. This expansion aims to address issues like illegal fishing, human trafficking, and drug smuggling around South America.
The Navy also intends to extend TF59’s innovative approach to the Pacific Fleet. Secretary Carlos Del Toro revealed this plan in April, emphasizing the potential to apply the TF59 model to different environmental conditions and drone demands. This expansion to the Pacific will likely shift the focus from surveillance to effects, including targeting, combat identification, and potentially kinetic or electronic warfare.
Bryan Clark noted that this expansion could lead to a change in the contractor-owned model used by TF59 to government-owned assets for military missions.
He described this as a “bifurcation” of TF59’s work, where ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) missions may shift to regional partners and the Combined Maritime Force – while the Navy transforms drones for military operations.
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In summary, Task Force 59’s journey over the past two years has been marked by innovation, adaptability, and a startup mentality that has changed the landscape of naval operations. Their pioneering work is now expanding to other fleets and promises to further shape the future of military technology and operations. As technology advances, the lessons learned from TF59 serve as a testament to the US Navy’s commitment to staying ahead in an ever-evolving world of maritime warfare.
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