USV Support Craft
A MOBILE SUPPORT PLATFORM FOR UNCREWED MARITIME OPERATIONS
The Janus USV Support Craft is a purpose-built HDPE landing craft configured around the requirements of uncrewed maritime operations, testing and development. At 38’8″ LOA with a nearly 10-foot beam, the vessel combines a substantial working deck and 6,000-pound cargo capacity with the speed, range and shallow draft required to support operations from established ports, remote launch sites and austere coastal locations. Rather than tying an operation to a fixed marina, launch ramp or shore facility, the Janus Support Craft allows the people, equipment and infrastructure supporting the UxS to move with the mission.
BUILT AROUND UxS OPERATIONS
The vessel’s 16′ × 6’6″ cargo deck, 2-ton crane and 1,000-pound davit provide a flexible working platform for moving and handling UxS, payloads, mission equipment, spares and other operational equipment. Powered by twin 250 HP Suzuki outboards, the vessel is capable of 20+ knot cruise speeds, 35+ knot sprint speeds and approximately 250 NM range, providing the ability to support operations across a significant maritime operating area. With a draft of approximately 18 inches, the vessel can also operate in shallow coastal areas where access by larger conventional support vessels may be limited. The vessel can accommodate 2 crew plus up to 12 additional personnel, load dependent, allowing operators, technicians, customers and mission personnel to deploy with the equipment they are supporting.
CONFIGURED FOR AUTONOMY & REMOTE OPERATIONS
The Janus Support Craft incorporates systems specifically selected to support the operation, testing and development of uncrewed maritime systems.
- Starlink connectivity provides high-bandwidth communications for remote access to supported UxS platforms, remote technical support, data transfer and connectivity with shore-based operators, engineers and customers.
- PTZ camera systems provide extended-range ISR and visual monitoring, increasing situational awareness and allowing personnel aboard the support vessel to observe UxS and other activity throughout the operating area.
- An autonomy-ready HME backbone allows the Support Craft itself to be used for autonomy integration, development and testing, providing customers with a representative maritime platform on which autonomy hardware and software can be installed and evaluated.
These capabilities make the vessel more than a chase boat. It is a mobile UxS operations, test and support platform.
MOVE IT. LAUNCH IT. SUPPORT IT.
The Janus Support Craft can support UxS transport, launch and recovery, chase and safety operations, towing and disabled-vessel recovery, payload movement, personnel transfer, mobile maintenance, fuel and operational resupply, autonomy and sensor testing, training, demonstrations and real-world operations.
Its road-transportable configuration provides another level of flexibility. The vessel can be moved overland to support operations from different ports, ranges and operating areas without relying exclusively on long-distance vessel transit. Once on location, the Support Craft can operate independently or as part of a larger Janus package incorporating UxS operators, technicians, logistics, sustainment, additional support craft and shore-side infrastructure.
GLOBAL SUPPORT CRAFT
The Janus Support Craft is one part of a broader Janus maritime support capability. Janus maintains and has access to additional maritime assets around the globe, allowing us to match the vessel and support package to the mission rather than forcing the mission around a single platform. Our international network provides access to RHIBs, high-speed chase vessels, workboats, landing craft and larger offshore support vessels capable of supporting exercises, demonstrations, testing and real-world operations.
When an existing vessel does not meet the requirement, Janus can source and modify a commercial platform specifically for the mission. Modifications can include launch and recovery systems, UxS handling equipment, communications, C2 spaces, sensor integration, power generation and distribution, workspaces, maintenance areas, accommodations and other mission-specific systems.