Aevex Unveils Blazing-Fast 50-Knot Unmanned Surface Vehicle

AEVEX Unveils 50 Knots Speeding Unmanned Surface Vehicle

AEVEX Aerospace recently unveiled its rugged, low-visibility unmanned surface vehicle (USV) Mako. Along with its variant Mako Lite at a show in Tampa.

The light sea drone can carry out several operations. Including carrying cargo, delivering personnel infiltration/exfiltration, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, and even kamikaze missions.

The customizable sea drones can be fitted with extra fuel tanks and tools. It is done to enable first-person view (FPV) control, a UAV launcher, a minigun or guided munition launcher, and more.

The use of aerial and otherwise unmanned drones has gained traction in recent days, especially owing to the Russia-Ukraine war.

AEVEX’s Mako aims to build on the growing interest in uncrewed vessels and crafts.

Mako and Mako Lite

As per AEVEX, Mako has an endurance of up to 12.5 hours and a range of 250 nautical miles (463 kilometers). Mako Lite also has the same specifications, although it has a lower fuel capacity of 8-30 gallons (30-113.5 liters) compared to Mako’s 18-68 gallons (68-257.5 liters) fuel tank.

Mako’s is 11.4 feet (3.4 meters) long and has a beam of a little over 4 feet (1.2 meters). An empty vessel weighs approximately 895 lbs (405 kg) and can carry loads of up to 200 lbs (90 kg).

Mako Lite, on the other hand, is over 9 feet (2.7 meters) in length and has a beam of 3.10 feet (1.1 meters). When empty, it weighs 455 lbs (206 kg) and can carry cargoes of up to 100 lbs (45 kg).

Navigation and capabilities

Both versions are fully unmanned, include GNSS navigation using a multi-constellation receiver, and have a base 900 MHz LOS radio.

AEVEX says its autonomous systems control this maneuverable jet-driven hull capable of speeds over 50 knots (57.5 miles per hour) and tested to sea state 4. They leverage PNT (position, navigation, and timing) solutions to maintain precise navigation and operational capability in GPS-denied environments.

The company also proposes that it can rapidly implement any changes needed by the customer to fulfill any specific need. Add-on kits can also be attached to the base USV design.

The company also states that Mako USVs can achieve autonomous navigation through algorithms and sensor fusion. Enabling them to navigate, make decisions, and complete missions without direct intervention.