Written by Nick Blenkey
Beloit, Wis.-headquartered Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) has today introduced AutoHook, a first-of-its-kind fully autonomous vessel recovery interface. Developed by FMD’s Norway-based business, Vestdavit. AutoHook is a cornerstone capability in establishing a new standard for fully autonomous Launch and Recovery System (LARS) supporting Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and other assetsM requiring zero human intervention. The compact, lightweight unit is designed for interoperability across allied fleets in demanding maritime conditions, removing the need for an additional cradle during loading and unloading.
FMD says that AutoHook fulfills the unmet need for autonomy during complex, high-risk launch and recovery. While current autonomous solutions fail to meet operational demands beyond Sea State 2, AutoHook successfully achieved operational acceptance at Sea State 4. The system was engineered with safety as the highest priority. Fully autonomous operation eliminates the need for manual connections, removing the risk of injuries during operations.
“The global shift toward distributed maritime operations depends on unmanned systems that perform in real-world conditions and integrate seamlessly across allied fleets,” says Vestdavit CEO Rolf Andreas Wigand. “AutoHook not only supports fleet modernization, it breaks the Sea State 2 ceiling that has long constrained manual launch and recovery. By delivering advanced launch and recovery solutions purpose-built for the operational demands of the U.S. fleet, we are helping ensure American forces, and those of our allies, have the reliable, scalable capability they need to operate effectively today and for decades to come.”…