The Republic of Singapore Navy's new maritime security unmanned surface vessel (right) chasing a suspicious vessel during a demonstration at Changi Naval Base on Feb 4. - ST
SINGAPORE: A suspicious vessel has been detected in Singapore waters, and a Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) vessel on patrol races alongside to intercept it, sirens blaring, with voice commands over the loudspeakers ordering the suspect vessel to stop.
But there is no one on board the RSN vessel – a new maritime security unmanned surface vessel (Marsec USV) that began patrolling Singapore waters in 2025.
This advanced vessel is well-equipped to carry out calibrated responses against any potential threats.
Besides a long-range acoustic device to hail other vessels using sirens or to issue voice commands, it has a laser dazzler to disorient suspects and a machine gun that can be operated remotely by its operators ashore.
A live demonstration of the Marsec USV’s capabilities was conducted during a media briefing at Changi Naval Base on Feb 4.
Three of these vessels are already in service, conducting a variety of maritime security missions in Singapore’s waters alongside RSN’s other ships. A fourth will join the fleet later in the year.
The USVs’ missions range from surveillance of the sea lanes around Singapore to escorting high-value ships and investigating possible maritime threats.
The Marsec USV, measuring 16.9m long and weighing 30 tonnes, is powered by two diesel engines that drive a pair of water jets, enabling it to attain speeds in excess of 25 knots, or 46kmh, and to stay out at sea for as long as 36 hours.
It is operated by a two-man team from a shore-based control station, representing significant manpower savings compared with manned vessels.
“It goes beyond remote control and incorporates several autonomous functions in how it navigates and keeps clear of hazards in conducting its missions,” said Colonel Thung Yee Meng, commander of the RSN’s 6th Flotilla, which deploys the new vessels.
He added that the Marsec USV is a ground-breaking system owing to its high level of autonomy in Singapore’s busy waters.
This is made possible by the USV’s advanced collision detection and collision avoidance system and an autonomous rules-based algorithm for navigation, both developed in Singapore by the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and the Defence Science Organisation (DSO).
The system leverages inputs from sensors such as its on-board radar and cameras, which provide 360-degree vision to assess surroundings, process information and recommend a safe course of travel in the busy waters around Singapore.
The algorithm and the on-board systems underwent several years of intensive simulation testing and sea trials both before and after the first Marsec USV was handed over to the RSN in 2023, said Chng Zhen Hao, DSTA’s head of capability development for unmanned maritime systems.
Some of the simulator tests involved the use of historical traffic data from the waters around Singapore to determine if the USV could operate safely.
The RSN’s sea trials involved navy personnel aboard the USVs, which are equipped with on-board controls for manual steering. This provided an added layer of safety, although the operators never needed to intervene during more than 1,000 hours of operational testing.
The navy is exploring potential missions for the Marsec USV, including sea mine detection and countermeasures. The vessel has space on board to accommodate a standard 20-foot container or any mission modules of a similar size.
The RSN is also looking at ways to further integrate the vessels in operations with its larger ships, such as the upcoming Multi-role Combat Vessels, which are expected to be “drone motherships” in one of their potential missions, with USVs and their crew operating on board. - The Straits Times/ANN
