Category: Headlines

Autonomous naval boats: The self-employed

Many companies are developing new combat boats or equipping tried and tested ones with modern technology for autonomous use. One of the pioneers is Team Germany with Tamsen, Hagenuk, Hensoldt and Plath. In the wake of changing security policy challenges and the changing requirements for modern maritime deployment concepts, the further development of combat and operational boats is becoming increasingly strategically important. At the same time, the development of autonomous maritime systems is progressing rapidly. State-of-the-art sensor technology, AI-supported data processing and autonomous control systems are revolutionising military and security-related ship operations. Many nations are increasingly relying on unmanned systems, particularly in the areas of border protection, reconnaissance and tactical operations. Autonomous mission boats are playing a key role in...

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France tests the "Courbet" frigate

Unlike other navies, the German Navy also tests its units against shock effects while they are in operation - and underway. However, this rarely happens. At the end of February, it happened again: "Courbet", one of the five La Fayette-class frigates (124 metres, 3,800 tonnes) with almost 30 years at sea under its keel, was subjected to a mine explosion as a "near miss explosion" in order to put the crew and equipment to the test. The result is of course subject to secrecy. The US Navy, for example, tests its type ships in a series of four blasts in ascending intensity up to 66% of the "maximum design shock value" on the third...

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Helpers in an emergency

In recent decades, Western navies have had little experience in treating casualties in combat. Land-based operations by the US armed forces therefore form the basis for today's on-board medical concepts. When preparations were made for major combat during the Cold War, combat operations were expected to last a few days and the expected survival rates were viewed with a certain degree of fatalism. In the last 30 years, circumstances have changed fundamentally. Where previously a quick nuclear exchange of blows was expected, today conventional operations of longer duration are expected, as well as hybrid scenarios with a large number of casualties. At the same time...

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A (no longer quite so) new threat to the fleet?

In the Red Sea, the frigate Hessen successfully defended itself against a ballistic missile launched by the Huthi rebels. However, the frigates are not actually equipped to defend against such weapons. "Surprise always comes where you didn't expect it." Lieutenant Captain Marius Werth, 1st Air Defence Officer of the frigate Hessen, opened his stirring presentation at this year's Naval Historical-Tactical Conference with this quote from Wilhelm Busch. Lieutenant Captain Werth reported on the cold start and the look into the crystal ball that the frigate Hessen faced in February 2024 when it was deployed as part of the international crisis management programme to protect merchant shipping against attacks by Houthi militias.

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Cables, anchors, coincidences

There have been at least five incidents in the Baltic Sea in the last year and a half in which cargo ships have damaged deep-sea cables or pipelines with their anchors. Were these accidents or intentional acts? When looking at these cases, the following similarities stand out: 1. the ships came from Russia, were carrying cargo for Russia or the Russian shipowners or owners had close economic ties with Russia. From the EU's point of view and with particular regard to the existing sanctions regime, the shipowners were acting at least in the grey area. Some had Russian crew members on board. crew members on board. Access marineforum digital+ Are you already a registered user? Log in here now...

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