Autonomous unmanned surface vessel (USV) developer ACUA Ocean, United Kingdom, recently completed the test launch of the USV Pioneer from its base at Turnchapel Wharf in Plymouth, England. The launch marks the first time the Pioneer has entered the water.
The Pioneer-class program began in 2022 with funding from the UK Department of Transport’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition. Initial concepts and designs were developed by naval architect John Kecsmar of Ad Hoc Marine Design, specializing in small waterplane area twin hull (SWATH) vessel design. The design phase was completed in February 2024, and construction began at Aluminium Marine Consultants (AMC) on the Isle of Wight in March 2024.
The launch occurred nine months after the start of hull fabrication and initiated trim, stability, and incline testing. ACUA noted the SWATH design enhances stability in higher sea states, making the vessel suitable for both commercial and security applications. The Pioneer is designed for rapid deployment of equipment and technology, addressing the need for faster procurement cycles compared to traditional vessels, ACUA said. The company states the USV also offers improved seakeeping stability and operational persistence compared to smaller monohull USVs, while being capable of collecting data and deploying sensor and system payloads.
The 46.5’ USV weighs 25 tons, and the vessel exceeds the stability and seakeeping performance of monohull vessels over 10 times its displacement and three times its length, ACUA noted.
The USV Pioneer will undergo a three-month period of sea trials and regulatory checks before demonstrations scheduled for March 2025. ACUA Ocean is collaborating with Lloyd’s Register to secure Maritime and Coastguard Agency Workboat Code approvals during this period.
