The BAE Systems Autonomous Pacific 24 (AP24) Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) has taken a giant step from development to deployment. This robotic naval vessel holds Lloyd’s Register Unmanned Marine Systems Certification for its design and construction.
Unmanned ships have come a long way since their relatively recent days when they were little more than a laboratory curiosity. Today, they have started working as patrol boats, minesweepers, submarine hunters, and many more roles.
But for such robot crafts to become commonplace, they need to prove they are safe and capable of performing adequately against recognized standards. Founded in London in 1760, the renowned Register is the gold standard in maritime safety, certifying that a vessel is seaworthy and able to meet the local standards of its flagging country. AP24 RIB is the first naval vessel certified to the Lloyd’s Register Unmanned Sea Systems Code.
AP24 has been awarded a contract with the Royal Navy to convert BAE’s flagship 7.8m (25.6ft) long P24 RIB into an autonomous version for military use as part of NavyX’s Autonomy and Lethality Acceleration Program. Developed by BAE Systems. Once deployed, it performs military protection, anti-piracy, persistent intelligence gathering and coast guard missions without unnecessarily endangering seafarers.
Paul James, Head of UK&I Naval, Lloyd’s Register, said: “BAE Systems’ Autonomous Pacific 24 has been tested against our assurance framework and we are pleased to offer BAE Systems the first Lloyd’s Register UMS certification for an unmanned naval vessel.”
Source: BAE Systems
