During NATO exercise Bold Machina in Den Helder, the Netherlands, Allied Special Operators learned to design, build and deploy uncrewed surface vessels (USVs). They used 3D printing and affordable materials to create naval drones capable of conducting reconnaissance, resupplying forces and conducting maritime strike missions.
The exercise was led by NATO’s Allied Special Operations Forces Command (SOFCOM). Taking lessons from Ukraine, where Ukrainian Special Operators have used USVs to upend the balance of power in the Black Sea, SOFCOM partnered with private sector firms to help Allied forces experiment with mono-hulled USVs that were built using a large 3D printer.
Also read: VIDEO: How NATO protects critical undersea infrastructure
Combat and support tasks
After installing batteries, motors and an open-source operating system, the operators were able to launch the boats along pre-planned routes in the harbour of Den Helder Naval Base. In a crisis scenario, these drones could be used to perform a variety of combat and support tasks for NATO forces.
The footage by NATO bewlo includes shots of Allied SOF personnel building and deploying maritime drones during exercise Bold Machina 25, along with interviews with Italian Navy Rear Admiral Massimilano Rossi and US Navy Captain Kurt Muhler.
Picture: Still from the NATO video above.
Also read: VIDEO: NATO trials tech to protect undersea infrastructure
