The article describes the US Marine Corps testing a commercial unmanned surface vessel to close a littoral mine/counter-obstacle gap, integrating autonomous driving plus sonar, FLIR, LOS comms and acoustic comms for pre-landing reconnaissance and EOD support. It also highlights the LEON 'system-of-systems' concept combining USV/UUV/ROV/diver gear and unmanned ground vehicles to detect, confirm, mark and neutralize hazards from very shallow water to the beach zone, pushing these capabilities toward organic Marine use rather than Navy-provided support.
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navalside: natofirst seen 2026-08-01
USMC tests counter-mine USV with autonomous driving and sonar/FLIR payloads
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- The War Zone · https://www.twz.com/sea/marine-colonel-who-led-mideast-combat-deployment-wants-his-own-drone-boatsMarine Colonel Who Led Mideast Combat Deployment Wants His Own Drone Boats