Leidos Australia Introduces Sea Archer for Maritime Operations
Leidos has initiated the Australian construction of Sea Archer, an advanced small uncrewed surface vessel (USV). This development represents a significant leap in bringing robust autonomous technology to the Indo-Pacific, supporting critical defense objectives.
Bridging U.S. Expertise with Local Manufacturing
This initiative fast-tracks established U.S. capabilities to Australia, leveraging Leidos' extensive history of more than 120,000 autonomous nautical miles with the U.S. Navy. This focus ensures that the Australian Defence Force meets its operational demands efficiently and effectively.
Advanced Autonomy Platform
At the core of Sea Archer is the advanced autonomy platform, LAVA. This innovative technology enables swift, long-range missions across varied maritime environments. It's seamlessly combined with other sophisticated battle management solutions, such as ADEPT and AlphaMosaic, which utilize artificial intelligence for autonomous fleet operations.
Exceptional Design and Capabilities
Designed for speed and endurance, Sea Archer can achieve sprint speeds of up to 40 knots with an impressive operational range of 1,500 nautical miles. It boasts a flexible payload capacity exceeding 900 kilograms, enabling a variety of mission functions, including strike missions, logistics resupply, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and electromagnetic deception tasks.
Local Production and Ecosystem Support
The production of Sea Archer will harness local expertise and capabilities throughout the supply chain, from initial construction to software integration and maintenance support. This approach enhances the sovereign ecosystem and promotes quick production cycles. The first aluminum vessel is already under construction by a local firm, Oceans Rivers Lakes, based in New South Wales.
Enhancing Security through Advanced Maritime Solutions
Leidos Australia's team of experts will oversee the integration of their autonomy software, which has been successfully deployed across 12 USV platforms. Chief Executive Paul Chase highlighted the importance of platforms capable of extensive coverage and endurance in enhancing national security in today's geopolitical climate.
Rapid Production Strategies
With plans for rapid production capabilities, the lightweight aluminum hull allows Sea Archer to be manufactured in various locations across Australia. This flexibility will enable quick responses to diverse mission requirements, using both existing fleets and new builds.
A Broader Maritime Systems Portfolio
In addition to Sea Archer, Leidos has an extensive Sea Systems portfolio, including established medium USVs such as Sea Hunter, Sea Hawk, Ranger, and Mariner, along with innovative undersea vehicles like Sea Castle and Sea Spector. Sea Archer is currently undergoing extensive sea trials in the U.S., anticipating readiness for its first missions by 2026.
About AUKUS and Leidos
The AUKUS partnership constitutes a collaborative effort among Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with a focus on advancing defense technologies, especially in maritime autonomy and artificial intelligence.
Leidos stands as a leader in technology and industry, committed to providing intelligence, defense, aviation, and health sector solutions that bolster operational capabilities and improve the standard of living in Australia. With a workforce of 47,000 globally and significant revenues, Leidos continues to be a key player in innovation within the defense sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sea Archer?
Sea Archer is an uncrewed surface vessel designed for various maritime missions, enhancing capabilities in defense and surveillance.
How does Sea Archer contribute to national security?
It offers extensive coverage, endurance, and agility, allowing for effective monitoring of large areas and improved threat detection.
What technologies does Sea Archer utilize?
It employs Leidos' LAVA autonomy platform and integrates with technologies like ADEPT and AlphaMosaic for operational efficiency.
Where is Sea Archer being manufactured?
The vessel is being constructed locally in Australia, utilizing domestic capabilities to enhance the production process.
When is Sea Archer expected to be operational?
Sea Archer is currently undergoing sea trials and is anticipated to be mission-ready by 2026.
