Military Technology 05/2021

The programme conducts ‘Capability Demonstrations’ (CDs), allowing developers to interact with government representatives, to better un- derstand maritime challenges and to determine how their systems may support or enhance operational requirements. The CD is a two-way street. It allows joint commands and other agencies a unique opportunity to interact with promising technologies. STILETTO is available to developers through commercial research and development agreements (CRADAs), which allow organisations to showcase technology at sea, in an operational environment not nor- mally available to them. With CRADAs, industry funds its own participa- tion and provides the required equipment, thus minimizing the costs to government. STILETTOs, range with full load at maximum speed is 500 nautical miles. It has served to test everything from stabilised gunmounts, radars and unmanned vehicles to engine components treated to reduce energy requirements. The crew of contract and government personnel provide installation and engineering assistance to integrate systems and develop a demonstration plan to achieve technical goals: they, plus fuel, are pro- vided by the programme, which also assists with access, coordination, engineering, installation, interface with regulatory bodies, operation, and evaluation services, and arranges target services as required. According to Danko, experimentation is focused on DoD modernisa- tion priorities and joint capabilities. “We have worked with all the services in areas like cyber security, fully networked C3, artificial intelligence and autonomy […] We just finished an experiment working with Army, Navy, Marines and Space Command on Joint Command and Control. The event highlighted STILETTO’s capability to rapidly integrate new equipment, operate at long ranges and perform as both the blue and red force […] This is all about collaboration.” According to Dr Julie Stark, Science and Technology Manager for Combatant Craft, the programme provides a unique platform to explore innovative technologies without excessive cost to the government, and facilitates collaboration throughout the R&D enterprise, providing a way to demonstrate new capabilities quickly so they can get adopted more rapidly. “Capability demonstrations often enable new technologies to get to our warfighters much faster,” Stark said. Continuing his series of brief examinations of research, development, test and evaluation artefacts used by the Department of Defense for experimentation and demonstration purposes, Ned Lundquist takes a look at the sleek, almost futuristic-looking STILETTO fast experi- mental craft. When the experimental M80 STILETTO was launched in 2006, it proved the concept that a small, fast. agile platform could operate in the littorals as part of a networked force. While it looks like a fighting machine, it is not used on operations: but it still has something to prove. The 26m, 60t vessel was built by M Ships of light, sturfy composites to validate the unique, wide M-type pentamaran hull design, and the qualities of speed, stability, stealth and network connectivity. Its wide beam provides a smooth ride – even at high speeds – and its shallow draft allows it to get into areas larger ships would not attempt. Today, the Stiletto Maritime Demonstration and Experimentation Program is one of several experimental craft managed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division’s Combat Craft Division (CCD) – which maintains, operates and manages the platform and the asso­ ciated experimentation and analysis. The programme provides physical, personnel, and infrastructure to system developers from small or large industry partners, government agencies, and academia, to evaluate inno- vative technologies in a realistic maritime environment. STILETTO has considerable internal payload capacity, and can launch and recover an 11M RIB and other mission packages, Including UAS. It features a command information center and a network infrastructure with wide-band SATCOM. CCD has added a topside arch, workstations, and additional power generators so that system developers can demonstrate innovative sys- tems, and joint commands can evaluate for future requirements in a safe, compliant, and creative manner. “We’re a pretty robust demonstration platform. We can install a sensor or system and take it out and run it through ‘a day in the life’ pretty quickly. Because we have bolt-on/bolt- off capability, easily accessible conduits and cable runways, clean power sources and multiple work stations, we can integrate and demonstrate new technologies in a matter of hours or days vice months and years,” explains Dennis Danko, STILETTO’s Program Manager. What’s more, STILETTO can reach 50 knots. “We’re a floating lab that goes fast,” Danko said. A retired US Navy captain, Edward Lundquist covers the naval beat for MilTech from Springfield, VA and is a regular contributor to sister publication Naval Forces. Edward Lundquist STILETTO – A Floating Lab That Goes Fast A Proof of Concept With Something to Proove From the Bridge MT 5/2021 · 67 STILETTO showing its lines. (Photo courtesy USN)