Part II: The Next Phase of Autonomous Naval Warfare 

In Part I: From Force Multiplier to Frontline Asset, we examined a fundamental shift taking place across the modern battlespace, where unmanned systems are moving beyond their traditional roles. Recent military exercises in China suggest the next phase of that transition may already be underway.

 The People's Liberation Army Ground Force recently trained with armed KVD002 unmanned combat aerial vehicles against fast-moving unmanned surface vessels, with Chinese military footage showing the aircraft engaging drone boats with missiles.  

Part I: The Rise of Autonomous Systems in Modern Warfare

How a Drone Strike and a USV Rescue Reveal the Future of Naval Warfare

For decades, unmanned systems have been viewed primarily as force multipliers - valuable tools that extend the reach of military forces through reconnaissance, surveillance, communications, and intelligence gathering. While these systems have delivered significant operational advantages, they have traditionally played supporting roles alongside crewed platforms. 

Recent events suggest that distinction is rapidly disappearing.

Radiation is a powerful tool. From medical imaging to airport security and industrial inspection, X-ray and gamma technologies give us the ability to see through objects, identify threats, and diagnose conditions that would otherwise remain hidden. Yet with that power comes responsibility. The same radiation that creates clear diagnostic images or reveals a weapon in luggage must also be contained and controlled, so it does not put patients, workers, or bystanders at risk.

For decades, the go-to solution for radiation shielding has been lead. Lead is dense, abundant, and effective at blocking X-rays. But lead also comes with a long list of problems: toxicity, environmental hazards, regulatory restrictions, and physical limitations in terms of design and durability. In today’s world, those drawbacks are no longer acceptable.

METAPOR® is a high-performance, air-permeable composite material widely used in vacuum clamping applications, particularly in semiconductor manufacturing. Engineered from microporous aluminum or ceramics, METAPOR eliminates the need for drilled vacuum holes while providing uniform suction, high stability, and contamination-free clamping. These properties make it an ideal choice for handling delicate silicon wafers and other sensitive substrates.

Traditional ceramic disk vacuum chucks have been used due to their high precision and rigidity. However, METAPOR line of materials has emerged as a superior alternative to the basic ceramic disc, and offers both a unique microporous aluminum option (BF100 AL) and a superior ceramic based option (CE100), all of which provide enhanced performance at a fraction of the cost. METAPOR can also be used for SMD applications and wire bonding processes.

Have you ever wondered how colossal metal vessels weighing tons can effortlessly glide beneath the ocean's surface, defying gravity's pull? The secret lies in a fundamental principle of physics, buoyancy. Buoyancy is a force that affects how objects rise or fall in a gas such as air, or in a liquid such as water. Let’s see how submersibles and submarines harness this force to dive, surface, and explore the underwater realm.

A submersible (or any boat) floats when the mass of the water it displaces is equal to the mass of the vessel. This displaced water generates an upward force known as buoyancy, which counteracts the downward pull of gravity. Unlike regular boats however, submersibles and submarines have the ability to control their buoyancy, and dive beneath the water or rise to the surface as needed.

Commissioned in 2005, the nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23) is one of the most remarkable vessels ever to sail the seas. This Seawolf-class marvel is no ordinary submarine. It hums with unmatched speed, stealth, and weaponry even compared to more modern boats. It is also the most expensive SSN submarine the US Navy has ever built, costing over $3.5 billion two decades ago. Like a character in a superhero comic, this is a unique super-sub that underwent classified modifications by the military, producing enhanced physical capabilities that sets it apart from all other submarines.

Its amazing capabilities has earned its crew the Navy's highest honor: the Presidential Unit Citation for "extraordinary heroism in action against an enemy."

The Earth's oceans cover more than 70% of the planet's surface, yet much of their mysterious depths remain unexplored. When describing the ocean, it is useful to break the sea up into regions by levels of depth, from the surface to the bottom. These sections are known as Pelagic Zones. The word pelagic is derived from ancient Greek meaning 'open sea'. Conditions in the ocean change with depth: pressure increases; temperature and light decrease; salinity, oxygen, and micronutrients all change as well.  There are five different Pelagic layers encompassing all open waters beyond the coastal regions. Each zone presents unique environments for life on earth, but also challenges for exploration due to their vastness and inaccessibility. The development and utilization of submersibles has revolutionized our understanding of these aquatic realms, and has helped us in unraveling the mysteries of each pelagic zone.

Globe Composite Solutions is a Boston-based company, established in 1890 under the name Globe Rubber Works. Globe has expanded from primarily working with rubber, to become a modern, full-service, Design-to-Manufacturing company, providing a wide-range of composite-based solutions. While Globe engineers cutting-edge composites and uses the latest robotic production methods, after over 130 years, Globe also remains an expert in manufacturing the highest-quality rubber parts. So, what is rubber and why does rubber remain an important substance to Globe's Defense & Industrial customers?

The word “dreadnought” (or dreadnaught) dates back to the late 17th century, where it described a fearless warrior- one who dreaded naught. This moniker was later given to the first modern battleship of the early 20^th century, the Royal Navy's HMS Dreadnought, one of the most fearsome naval warships in existence when launched in 1906. The HMS Dreadnought battleship featured the absolute latest in naval innovations of the time, namely a new steam turbine propulsion system, and unprecedented “all-big-gun” firepower, delivered by a plethora of heavy-caliber guns.

The Royal Navy will soon launch a new class of Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBNs) as the successor to its current Vanguard-Class subs, and in 2016 appropriately named it the Dreadnought-Class. Like its battleship namesake, the Dreadnought-Class of SSBNs will feature the cutting-edge of naval propulsion design, incredible firepower, as well as several features that will make it unique even among other modern submarines.

The Columbia-class submarine now under construction by GDEB, will be the most advanced SSBN in the world and the largest submarine ever built by the United States. The SSBN classification is the US Navy acronym for a Submarine armed with Ballistic missiles, that is Nuclear-powered. The SSBNs have a different primary function than SSN fast attack submarines, and need different design features as well. As part of America's Nuclear Triad, an SSBN’s mission is to keep its position a secret, while serving as a strategic ballistic missile platform. Compare that to an SSN’s mission of actively seeking out and engaging all enemy targets in a wide range of environments. One of the interesting design changes made to the Columbia-class, is the switch to an “X-Stern” configuration of rudder/planes, from the existing “cross-shape” design now seen on Ohio-class SSBNs and Virginia-class SSN boats. Why did the US Navy decide to move to an X-shaped stern control plane design?