L3Harris Technologies, in partnership with maritime startup Seasats, has successfully tested the advanced capabilities of an autonomous surface vessel (ASV) in the Pacific Ocean, according to a press release.
The test involved a surfboard-sized ASV, which completed a 2,500-mile journey from San Diego, California, to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
This 10-week voyage demonstrated the vessel’s seaworthiness and continuous operation in challenging conditions off the coast of Hawaii, say the firm.
“The ability of ASVs to prove their prolonged and reliable operations in the ocean is critical for establishing their effectiveness as a hard-to-detect, autonomous and affordable platform for L3Harris’ collaborative network payloads – essential for military effectiveness in contested environments,” said Andrew Puryear, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at L3Harris.
“We are committed to collaborating with promising startups on innovative solutions that will make an impact in supporting the U.S., its allies and partners.”
Seasats’ ASVs, marketed under the product name Lightfish, are designed to operate autonomously in all maritime environments for up to six months. Mike Flanigan, CEO and President of Seasats, expressed satisfaction with the ASV’s performance, stating, “We were extremely pleased how well the Lightfish navigated the challenges of an open ocean environment during our transit to Hawaii. We see ASVs as a force multiplier and another way to affordably and quickly grow U.S. naval presence around the world.”
Seasats, a privately-owned company, produces solar-powered maritime ASVs for both military and commercial use. L3Harris invested in Seasats in 2022 as part of its ongoing strategy to adopt emerging technologies that address customers’ growing requirements for innovative, agile solutions that can be rapidly fielded.
