SPARTAN Scout Unmanned Surface Vehicle

Background: Recent attacks by nonconventional and terrorist forces have

shown there is a need to address force protection issues of naval assets
and shore-based facilities. SPARTAN Military Utility Assessments
(MUAs) were conducted in FY 2006 for the Intelligence, Surveillance,
Reconnaissance (ISR)/ Force Protection (FP) and littoral Mine
Warfare (MIW) mission modules, and with ACTD partner, Republic
of France, for the Antisubmarine Warfare (ASW) mission module. The MUAs
evaluated several overarching SPARTAN Scout ACTD goals, including: extending
surface and subsurface detection ranges; establishing defensive barriers; reducing risk to
personnel and capital assets; serving as a force multiplier/leveler; allowing warfighters to
focus limited resources on the application of combat power; and providing the capability
to maintain high combat operational tempo.
Success: The SPARTAN ACTD demonstrated the military utility of unmanned surface
vehicles (USVs) as extended sensor and weapons platforms conducting ISR, FP, MIW,
and ASW missions in support of naval operations. The open-architecture command and
control (C2) element of the Core System will serve as the baseline control system for USVs
of all types on the LCS. U.S. Navy LCS Program of Record (POR) will incorporate
USV technology developed and matured in the SPARTAN ACTD in the form of
specific, self-contained mission packages. These are based on 11-meter USVs to conduct
focused mission execution in MW, ASW, and surveillance/force protection. Additionally,
documentation developed by the SPARTAN team, including performance specifications,
concepts of operation, interface design, training, and maintenance, will serve as the initial
baseline for future USV development in both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army.
Current Status: The SPARTAN USV Core System and C2 technology was identified
by U.S. Navy Program Executive Office Littoral and Mine Warfare, PMS-420 for
transition into the LCS POR.
Program POC: Mr. M.K. Tribbie, ODUSD AS&C, 703-601-2124,
m.tribbie.ctr@osd.mil
Year Completed: FY 2006
User Sponsor: U.S. Pacific Command

10 Service/Agency
U.S. Navy, ODUSD Advanced systems & concepts (AS&C)
11