Michigan-based Voltaic Marine has trialed a new configuration of its AEU39 uncrewed surface vessel (USV) with a remote weapon turret in a recent exercise at sea.
During the test, the AEU39 used a 300 kilowatt-hour battery bank for power through standard interfaces, enabling the vessel to hold position at sea.
Official footage shows a Moog Space and Defense turret housed inside the vessel’s bow, hidden beneath a protected hatch that only opens during engagement.
When hidden, the weapon remains inside the hull, helping the vessel maintain a low profile in non-combat situations.
The USV’s open payload architecture is what enables the integration, with Voltaic Marine saying the vessel features two modular bays with a total capacity of 4,000 pounds (1,814 kilograms).
A separate enclosed pad is also available for the launch and recovery of drones from a stabilized deck, which comes with its own options for tactical payload.
Features and Capabilities
The AEU39 features an electric propulsion system that gives low acoustic and thermal signatures, helping it hide from enemy radars while executing missions.
It also supports waypoint transit, area patrol, and loitering roles through open interfaces compatible with existing autonomy and command-and-control systems.
According to the company, the USV is transportable via road trailer, launch from a boat ramp, or shipped inside standard containers.
Voltaic Marine described the integration of the AEU39 and the turret to be a remote weapon station that can be left at sea for extended periods of time, essentially acting as a vessel that surveys an area “for weeks at a time.”
