Leidos has unveiled its Sea Dagger autonomous Commando Insertion Craft (CIC) idea developed as a part of a modernization program that goals to offer 24 superior floor craft for deploying UK Command Drive (UKCF) strike groups.
The UKCF is the trendy model of the British Commandos, which had been swiftly put collectively after the evacuation of the Allied forces from Dunkirk through the fall of France in 1940. Due to this defeat, the British Military had misplaced most of its materiel, so Prime Minister Churchill ordered the formation of an elite preventing drive that would nonetheless take the battle to the Axis with little greater than small arms and preventing knives utilizing commando techniques based mostly on stealth, velocity, and shock.
The consequence was the Commandos, who operated in clandestine raids behind the strains to harass the enemy with outstanding success. After the battle, the drive was disbanded apart from the three Commando Brigade of the Royal Marines, which was rebranded because the UKCF in 2022. As we speak, the UKCF consists of rigorously chosen personnel from the Marines, Royal Navy, Military, and the Royal Air Drive and tasked with amphibious assaults and rapid-response operations globally in all kinds of environments and is a key seaborne factor of Britain’s Fast Response Drive.
Leidos
Responding to the present geopolitical state of affairs, the federal government is finishing up an enormous growth and modernization of Britain’s protection forces, which incorporates the Future Commando Drive (FCF) initiative. That is designed to show the Commandos into lighter and extra agile items geared up with cutting-edge expertise, together with drones, cyber capabilities, and AI-enabled autonomous programs, together with two dozen new CICs of which Sea Dagger is a candidate.
The Sea Dagger is billed as a next-generation armored amphibious craft used to carry the Commandos ashore from the assault ships whereas defending them not solely from enemy hearth but additionally harmful sea situations or inhospitable seashores that is likely to be little greater than mud flats or stretches of razor-sharp coral.
Not many technical particulars of the Sea Dagger have been launched, nevertheless it’s speculated to be the primary craft of its measurement to totally incorporate velocity, vary, car supply, and autonomous operation utilizing Leidos’ Trusted Mission AI in a single bundle, which additionally contains modular development for mission customization.
By way of measurement, it is massive sufficient to deal with a strike crew of not less than 12 Commandos plus mild tactical mobility platforms, off-board programs, and medium fight masses. It might have a velocity of over 40 knots (46 mph, 74 km/h) and be capable to function throughout lengthy distances below heavy fight situations.
“Sea Dagger represents a pivotal step in equipping the UK Commando Drive with the aptitude to function with larger agility, survivability and intent in a fancy and congested maritime atmosphere,” mentioned Adam Clarke, senior vp and chief govt at Leidos UK & Europe. “The Leidos design displays our dedication to delivering resilient, future-ready platforms that may adapt to the complexities of recent warfare, guaranteeing functionality, availability and operational benefit from day one. I’m delighted that Leidos is on the forefront of shaping the maritime market, domestically and internationally.”
Supply: Leidos
