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NEWS
Unmanned surface vehicle makes waves
Lightweight nano-composite boat offers 10 times the usual rangeThere is a new frontier in unmanned vehicles and it isn't in the air but on the waves. The Piranha Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) is set to revolutionise ocean-based military operations the way drones have done for the skies. See the video below.
The Piranha USV concept, developed by Zyvex Marine, is a 54-foot long advanced vessel that enables a broad range of unmanned operations at sea, reducing lifecycle costs and unnecessary risks. It weighs in at approximately 3629 kilos and is significantly lighter than conventional boats of a similar size.
The Piranha claims to set new standards in range and payload for an unmanned surface vessel. The boat is constructed out of nano-composites (carbon fibre + resin system enhanced with carbon nanotubes).
Compared to other vessels built from traditionally heavier materials, such as aluminium, the Piranha USV has 10 times the range, three times the payload, and a 75 per cent increase in fuel efficiency, consuming only 45.4 litres an hour when cruising at 24 knots.
The Piranha USV was initially developed for the unmanned military market. But as new development with materials science advances, long-range unmanned surface vessels present new commercial and defence possibilities.
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Written byBoatsales Staff
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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