The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has conducted new tests with an unmanned surface vessel (USV) in Hårsfjärden, south of Stockholm.
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According to Defence Blog, the tests are part of a three-year research and technology program commissioned by the Swedish Armed Forces. The project aims to develop knowledge and operational understanding of unmanned maritime systems.
“We can see, for example, in the war in Ukraine, where unmanned surface vehicles (VANTs) play an important role in the Black Sea. With this project, we want to build knowledge,” said Robert Sandgren, technical advisor at FMV.
The latest tests focused on the vessel’s software, range, maneuverability, and emergency stop systems, according to FMV.
The vessel, named Ran after the Norse goddess of the depths of the sea, is a Norwegian-built model also used by the Norwegian Coast Guard, as well as the Spanish, Danish, and Portuguese navies.
The FMV noted that the project is deliberately generic so that it can simulate different types of vessels for training or research purposes, including logistics transport, patrolling, or seabed mapping missions.
“We have acquired a small vessel, a concept demonstrator, that we can use for testing. We want to see how it works, how it behaves, and what can be done with it,” said Johanna Norén from FMV’s amphibious, support, and base systems division.
“It’s a proven system. The vessel can be configured for different applications, from cargo transport to serving as a patrol platform. It can also be equipped with sensors to map the seabed. The vessel is maneuverable enough to test and evaluate a variety of systems,” Sandgren added.
However, even though it is a “proven system,” as Sandgren mentioned, some functionalities, such as autonomous navigation, are still under evaluation, according to Agnes Moberg, project manager at FMV.
“Some elements — particularly those related to collision avoidance — have a lower level of technical maturity, and the project aims to explore this,” Moberg explained.
Over the next year, FMV will continue evaluating the vessel and developing procedures for possible acquisition. The program also includes regulatory and market analyses to determine how unmanned surface systems can be integrated into Sweden’s defense structure.
Photo: FMV. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
