Unmanned Teaming for Maritime Operations

Unmanned Teaming for Maritime Operations with Hybrid Unmanned Vehicles

Erdem Kazakli, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Speeder Systems BV, discusses the significance of integrating hybrid unmanned vehicles in enhancing maritime operations, particularly focusing on the capabilities of unmanned surface vessels.

This presentation introduces the "Speeder," a hybrid unmanned vehicle that effectively bridges the operational gap between unmanned surface vessels (USV) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). We specifically analyze a platform capable of conducting maritime operations, including water operations, Ground-Effect flight, and free flight with VTOL capabilities. This paper outlines a unique Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for these hybrid unmanned vehicles, focusing on Unmanned-Unmanned Teaming (UMUM-T) for surveys, surveillance, and C-UAS operations. We also examine the scalability of such systems within frameworks like the UK MoD’s UAS Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC), addressing the special requirements of the maritime environment and demonstrating how high-speed hybrid craft carrying various payloads, diverse sensors, or other unmanned systems can revolutionize sensor placement and enhance C-UAS capabilities in maritime surveillance.

Erdem Kazakli is a co-founder and Managing Director of Speeder Systems, where he focuses on the development of hybrid unmanned vehicles and unmanned surface vessels for various applications. He holds an MSc in Engineering Management and a BSc in Aerospace Engineering. Since 2008, Erdem has specialized in unmanned systems, successfully developing drones weighing up to 1.7 tons, including jet-powered drones and cargo drones. His primary focus areas include innovation feasibility, certification, testing, and business development, particularly in the realm of maritime operations.