整合無人載具 英打造長時間海上監視能力

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先鋒號（圖片取自ACUA Ocean網站）

無人船結合繫留無人機　打造長時間海上監視能力

USV and Tethered Drone Integration Enables Persistent Maritime Surveillance

英國無人系統公司ACUA Ocean近日攜手美國Teledyne FLIR，在英國國防創新機構（UKDI）資助下，成功展示無人水面載具（USV）搭配繫留式無人機的整合運作能力。此次測試向英國國防部及離岸產業夥伴進行為期兩天的展示，驗證無人船可自主發射、操作及回收小型無人機，未來有望大幅提升皇家海軍長時間海上情報、監視與偵察（ISR）任務能力。

UK-based ACUA Ocean has successfully demonstrated the integration of an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) with a tethered drone in collaboration with U.S. defense company Teledyne FLIR. Supported by UK Defence Innovation (UKDI), the two-day demonstration showcased autonomous launch, operation, and recovery of a small unmanned aircraft for representatives from the UK Ministry of Defence and offshore industry partners, highlighting the potential to enhance the Royal Navy's long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations.

「先鋒號」搭配SkyRanger R70　突破無人機續航限制

Pioneer USV and SkyRanger R70 Extend Drone Endurance

測試中，ACUA Ocean的「先鋒號」（Pioneer）無人水面載具搭載Teledyne FLIR的SkyCarrier自主無人機發射與回收平台，並操作一架SkyRanger R70繫留式無人機執行情監偵任務。由於無人機透過電纜直接與無人船連接，不需依賴自身電池供電，同時可持續與母船保持同步位置，使其能執行遠超一般多旋翼無人機的長時間空中監視任務。

During the demonstration, ACUA Ocean's Pioneer USV was equipped with Teledyne FLIR's SkyCarrier autonomous launch and recovery system, deploying a tethered SkyRanger R70 drone for ISR missions. Because the aircraft receives continuous power through a tether connected to the USV instead of relying solely on onboard batteries, it can remain synchronized with the vessel while maintaining persistent airborne surveillance far longer than conventional multirotor drones.

AI目標辨識　小型無人機發揮更高效能

AI-Powered Target Recognition Enhances Small Drone Performance

報導指出，「先鋒號」是英國首艘取得勞氏船級社（Lloyd's Register）認證，可進行遠端操作的無人船，即使在浪高達4.25公尺的海況下仍能穩定執行任務，先前也曾完成反潛作戰（ASW）及情監偵能力展示。SkyRanger R70則搭載高解析度光電／紅外線（EO/IR）感測器，並整合人工智慧（AI）演算法，可自主完成目標偵測、辨識與分類，以第1類（Group 1）無人機尺寸，提供接近第2類（Group 2）無人機等級的偵察能力。

According to the company, Pioneer is the first remotely operated uncrewed vessel in the UK to receive Lloyd's Register certification and is capable of operating in sea states with waves up to 4.25 meters high. The platform has previously demonstrated anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and ISR capabilities. Meanwhile, the SkyRanger R70 is equipped with high-resolution electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensors, combined with AI-powered target detection and classification, allowing a Group 1 drone to deliver ISR performance comparable to larger Group 2 systems.

長時間部署　強化皇家海軍海上作戰能力

Long-Endurance Operations Strengthen Royal Navy Maritime Missions

ACUA Ocean表示，透過無人船與繫留式無人機的協同作業，「先鋒號」可連續執行長達數週的海洋監視任務，不僅能提升皇家海軍海上情報蒐集能力，也可支援反潛作戰、水雷反制、海底電纜防護及離岸能源設施安全等多元任務，進一步強化英國未來無人化海上作戰能力。

ACUA Ocean stated that the close integration between the Pioneer USV and the tethered SkyRanger R70 enables persistent maritime surveillance missions lasting for weeks. The capability is expected to support anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasures, intelligence collection, and the protection of critical offshore infrastructure such as subsea cables and offshore energy facilities, significantly enhancing the Royal Navy's future unmanned maritime operations.