There is no doubt that in future wars drones (in all their forms and variations) will be among the absolute protagonists on the battlefields. In fact, to be fair and as the war in Ukraine is demonstrating, they already are; especially in the realm of ground operations. The point to highlight is that there are other areas where they have not yet found wider use.
One of these areas is certainly naval; still not significantly impacted by their arrival. However, things are about to change and a sort of “revolution” in this sense should now be considered imminent. Naval surface drones are indeed spreading rapidly, with a rapid growth in terms of capabilities and size.
Also in this case, it should be remembered that a certain push has always come from Ukraine; which, unable to employ its already very few naval units in the Black Sea, quickly invested in drones until it created small unmanned platforms, later used against Russian ships and naval bases in the region.
Now, although the experience in question can legitimately be considered limited, it nonetheless served to demonstrate some concepts; if to this element we add the consideration that the technologies involved are evolving rapidly, here is the explanation for the exponential growth currently being recorded.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE USA
In such a context, the effort of the US Navy stands out; an effort that is rather confused, to be honest. Already in the second half of the last decade, the American Navy had planned to develop several types of “unmanned” platforms (more precisely, “Unmanned Surface Vehicles” or USVs). Among these, two stood out in particular: one called “Medium” and the other “Large.”
The first referred to a unit less than 60 meters long and with a maximum displacement around 500 tons, to be used in various tasks but not actual “combat.” The second was hypothesized to exceed 90 meters, with displacement also around 2,000 tons; this time, to be used in more properly “combat” missions.
However, at the end of July last year the plans changed; in fact, the two categories mentioned above disappeared and merged into the Modular Surface Attack Craft (or MASC) program, which in size resembles the “Medium” platform while in overall characteristics/capabilities approaches those of the “Large.” Basically, a USV is envisaged to be built potentially in 3 different versions with different capabilities to carry out the full spectrum of missions. An interesting point is the goal of creating structurally simple platforms, in order to guarantee high production volumes in a short time; also by using multiple shipyards.
Finally, at the end of last March the US Navy changed its plans again, launching the “Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) Family of Systems” program. The changes are almost more cosmetic than substantive. Many of the characteristics mentioned above remain unchanged; so much so that, overall, the most important aspect remains the innovative approach adopted, aimed at accelerating as much as possible the acquisition of future platforms, as well as a more precise definition of the required capabilities.
THE SPECTRE
It is exactly in this continuously “boiling” framework that the presentation of the new USV designed by the American company specialized Saildrone fits; which offers indeed a product entirely of American origin but, at the same time, with some important “digressions” in a European key and, even more particularly, Italian. This topic will be explored later.
Before going into the details of the proposal in question, a brief note on Saildrone; founded in 2012, since then it has started producing naval surface drones (for civilian and military purposes) characterized precisely by having sail propulsion. For smaller models, this type of propulsion is the main one; as size increases it becomes auxiliary, as it is combined with plants equipped with internal combustion engines.
Well, with this project Saildrone takes a further step forward; with the “Spectre” indeed, this is the name of the project in question, a platform is offered that can be built in 2 versions; the first still equipped with a sail while the second is completely without one. A non-trivial difference, as it allows optimizing operational characteristics/capabilities.
The one equipped with the sail is identified as “Silent Endurance” and will be optimized for intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance or ISR) missions, in the field of anti-submarine warfare (Anti-Submarine Warfare or ASW) or, again, for electronic warfare missions. The one without it, defined as “Stealth Strike,” will be optimized for combat operations (such as air defense and attack).
In terms of general characteristics, the Spectre will be 52 meters long, with a draft of just over 3 meters and a height varying between just 8 meters of the second version and 43 meters of the first. Made of aluminum, its displacement will be about 250 tons with a maximum load of 70.
The propulsion system on 2 shafts will be diesel-electric, with an installed power of 5,000 horsepower; in the “Stealth Strike” it will be optimized to reach high speeds, with bursts up to 30 knots and sustained cruising speeds of 25 knots. In the “Silent Endurance” version instead autonomy will be emphasized; thanks to the help of the sail, at speeds of 12 knots (almost silently) it will be able to reach up to 8,000 miles. Speaking of this latter version, it is noted that the mast and the (obviously rigid) sail are made by the company America Magic Service; this solution, besides offering an advantage on the propulsion front, also allows positioning sensors/systems in a high position, improving their performance.
WHAT THE SPECTRE WILL DO
The most interesting part of this USV will however be the cargo deck, which can host 2 forty-foot containers or 4 twenty-foot containers or a combination thereof; indeed, respecting the criteria required by the US Navy, future naval drones will have modular loads contained within containers of standard sizes. In this way, economy and flexibility of use will be enhanced.
In a typical configuration then, the “Silent Endurance” version could host containers inside which there are devices for submarine detection, plus others used for the collection, processing and distribution of information; all this, also relying on systems intended for its own defense. Note here the first European “digression,” with the start of a collaboration with the French Thales for the installation precisely in one of the modular containers of their sonar, the CAPTAS-4.
The “Stealth Strike” version could instead embark 2 MK-70 Payload Delivery Systems (PDS), that is still 40-foot containers inside which 4 missile launch cells each are created. This means the ability to carry out air defense and/or attack missions against other ships as well as against land targets, being able to use a wide range of missiles already in the US Navy’s inventory. Interesting is the fact that Saildrone is also working with Lockheed Martin, which already produces the MK-70, for the integration of other weapon systems.
THE ITALIAN PRESENCE
A qualified presence it can be said, since this platform will be built precisely by Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG), the American arm of Fincantieri, in its production facilities in Wisconsin. And without wasting time; the first unit is already close to the start of its construction (after intense design work and tank testing), with the goal of having it at sea for initial tests at the beginning of 2027. Saildrone and FMG guarantee that the cost of each unit should be around 40 million dollars and that production capacity could be 5 units per year.
In conclusion, the “Spectre” presents itself as a product both new/innovative but, at the same time, with important elements of maturity guaranteed both by the companies involved (definitely “solid”) and by the experience already acquired. Therefore, a credible contender for the US Navy’s MUSV program, especially for the flexibility guaranteed by the dual configuration. At the same time, it represents an important step for Fincantieri; to strengthen itself not only in the American market but also, potentially, in the international one.
