Swedish defense contractor Saab is entering the maritime autonomy software market with the launch of its new “Autonomous Ocean Core” (AOC), which enables navies to command and control surface and subsurface platforms from significant distances—up to 1,800 kilometers, akin to the distance from Paris to Sweden’s offshore islands.
Mats Wicksell, senior vice president and head of Saab’s business area Kockums, highlighted the strategic advantages of AOC, stating, “It can boost key operational strengths for the dull, dirty, dangerous, and dear. This control system provides our customers with a tactical edge, enhancing availability and efficiency while reducing dependency on active manpower.”
Saab’s AOC integrates into small or medium vessels, transforming them into remote-controlled crafts that can be operated from land or ship. During the Euronaval exposition in Paris, company officials demonstrated the technology using a CB90 fast assault craft navigating the intricate terrain of Sweden’s coastline, guided by AOC and monitored by a drone.
Lars Brännström, an executive at Saab overseeing the Kockums shipyard, noted the suitability of AOC for enhancing operational capabilities with streamlined manpower. He referenced successful applications in advanced vessels such as the Visby stealth corvettes and submarines.
While Saab has not disclosed specific sales figures, they have confirmed ongoing trials with the Swedish Armed Forces using the Enforcer-3, a modified CB90 equipped with autonomy software. Peter Karlström, project manager for AOC at Saab, mentioned that initial demonstrations with the Swedish military pre-dated AOC, but subsequent updates have equipped the Enforcer-3 and other crafts in Saab’s fleet with the latest software advancements.
The rising interest in unmanned and autonomous vessels has garnered attention from both the US Navy and European military contractors in recent years. During the same exhibition in Paris, Naval Group, the state-owned French shipbuilder, also introduced its first unmanned surface vessel designed to complement manned warships as a detachable intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) asset.
Saab’s introduction of the Autonomous Ocean Core underscores the growing trend towards integrating autonomy in maritime operations, enhancing naval capabilities while optimizing resources.
