NATO Tests USV Capability Integration into Operational Task Groups
NATO has tested its capability to integrate uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) into its operational task groups. The capability demonstration – which took place on a training range in the Baltic Sea off Denmark, from 17-20 February – was a significant step in the development and operational integration of USVs into NATO Allied Command Operations (ACO) activities.
USVs can add mass for operational task groups, including providing surface surveillance that helps build maritime situational awareness. Such mass in surveillance and situational awareness is also critical in building deterrence in tasks like tackling threats to critical undersea infrastructure (CUI).
In a 21 February statement, NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) and NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT) said NATO standing naval forces (SNFs) conducted the demonstration to help advance integration of innovative uncrewed technologies into alliance activities. Ships from Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) – led by its flagship, the Royal Netherlands Navy De Zeven Provincien air-defence and command frigate HNLMS Tromp – participated, alongside Royal Danish Navy and German Navy assets. The activity included tactical manoeuvring between crewed and uncrewed assets and live-fire events, to test USV interoperability with a maritime task group, the statement said.
