UXV Combatant

The UXV Combatant is a concept warship designed by BVT Surface Fleet (now BAE Systems Maritime – Naval Ships), which was displayed at the Defence Security and Equipment International (DSEI) in 2007.[1] Designed to "launch, operate and recover large numbers of small unmanned vehicles for extended periods, the UXV plays the role of mother ship - a permanent base and control centre for the futuristic unmanned land, sea and air vehicles before, during and on completion of their missions".[1] UXV Combatant shares some common design features with the Type 45 destroyer.[1]

Artist depiction of the UXV Combatant
General characteristics
Type: UAV cruiser
Displacement: 8,000 t (7,900 long tons; 8,800 short tons)[1]
Length: 500 ft (152.4 m)[2]
Beam: 70 ft (21 m)[2]
Speed: 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph)[2]
Complement: 60
Armament:
Aircraft carried:
Aviation facilities:
  • A large "V"-shaped flight deck[2]
  • A hangar deck[2]

Design

UXV Combatant features two flight decks for launching unmanned aerial vehicles, V/STOL aircraft, and helicopters; arrayed in a "V" shape.[2] Each flight deck is approximately 164 feet (50 m) in length.[2] To launch aircraft, UXV Combatant could be expected to use the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System or a ski-jump. UXV Combatant is also reported to be capable of launching unmanned underwater vehicles via a "moon pool",[2] and in addition, able to embark a large number of troops plus their equipment. For naval gunfire support, UXV Combatant is equipped with a 155 mm cannon, able to fire bursts of 20 rounds in rapid succession.[2] UXV Combatant also features a vertical launching system.[2]

Mission

UXV Combatant is designed to better meet the threats of asymmetric warfare. Able to deploy assault troops or special forces ashore with their equipment, UXV Combatant is designed to provide the necessary firepower to support them. Such as; land-attack cruise missile launched via its vertical launching system, its 155 mm gun, and a fleet of unmanned combat aerial vehicles.[2] UXV Combatant is also designed to perform reconnaissance missions, with powerful ship-borne sensors and unmanned aerial vehicles. UXV Combatant is designed to act both independently, or as an escort.[2]

Current status

This is a concept warship only, and there are currently no plans for this concept to enter design proper.

References
  1. "Mothership for unmanned vehicles looks to the future". baesystems.com. BAE Systems. 11 September 2007.
  2. "Warships of Tomorrow". popsci.com. Popular Science. 15 February 2008. Note that the article says "high-tech radars" would be used for submarine hunting, but this is a typographical error for "sonars".
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