SpearFish

FTL’s SpearFish system leverages JPL’s CARACaS autonomy architecture in a new enabling technology for Patrol boat sensing, perception, and Command-and-Control (C2). SpearFish applies advanced high-bandwidth sensor fusion to enable unmanned patrol boats that will reduce risks and enable new operational capabilities within the Maritime Expeditionary Security Force (MESF). SpearFish includes sensor, perception, and Command-and-Control modules to enable MESF-specific autonomous behaviors. It indicates all high-level behaviors being executed and allows dynamic tasking/re-tasking from human operators. Additionally, SpearFish conforms to a Size, Weight, Power and Cost (SWaP-C) appropriate for current 40 PB platforms and leverages available COTS technologies to enable rapid development to on-water testing of system performance.

SpearFish requires little or no additional external sensor hardware beyond what is already in the 40 PB specification, plus one half-rack SpearFish computer/electronics module (1U ½ rack). SpearFish electronics enable very high speed (kHz) tracking and intercept behaviors with no ship modifications, while FTL’s neural-network systems enable situational awareness and threat recognition.

FTL’s TYFUN ocean and vessel simulation system can rapidly implement and test autonomy behaviors to ensure that each behavior has benefited from thousands of trial runs prior to ever being tested on the water.