The UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) in partnership with the US military's Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program (SMDP) has successfully demonstrated the capabilities of a new at-sea unmanned aerial system (UAS) launch system.
During the trial off the Maryland coast, three different UAS were launched from the flight deck of the Stiletto 88ft-long, composite-bodied, m-shaped vessel, while DSTL personnel observed the launch, payload operation and recovery for maritime missions.
DTSL surveillance capability leader Paul Mather said: "The Stiletto capability demonstration offered a unique opportunity to take a potent government/industry brew of good ideas, practical options and hard work, turning the mix into a genuine capability demonstration for the allied warfighter, which in turn shows how to solve existing and future operational problems."
Aimed to validate littoral warfare concepts and accelerate the delivery of innovative maritime technologies across all of the armed services, the ASD Rapid Reaction Technology Office-funded SMDP is managed by the special projects branch of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division, Norfolk detachment.
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