The total value of the procurement is 1.8 millions £ ($2.3 millions) for 5 USV plus integrated sensors, spares, support equipment, training and technical support.
3 MANTAS T12 will go to the Royal Navy and 2 will be used by the UK Joint Forces Command which recently changed its name to Strategic Command. The Strategic Command provides the foundation and supporting framework for successful operations by ensuring joint capabilities like medical services, training, intelligence, information systems and cyber operations, are developed and managed. They also provide the command and control for overseas defense operations.
According to the ex ante transparency notice by the UK MoD regarding this procurement:
As part of the preliminary work on this project MAB6 and jHUB conducted a market survey to qualify the availability of COTS/MOTS products that would support the idea that low observable USVs have utility for discrete maritime operations. This work revealed only 1 product was available which had a proven track record and that met the need was the MANTAS T12. A successful pilot contract was let by jHUB Commercial in February 2019 to Maritime Tactical Systems Inc. (MARTAC), in which 2 x MANTAS T12 craft were leased to test their suitability. Now that suitability has been confirmed, Navy X and MAB6 intend to purchase 5 x MANTAS T12 craft (3 for Navy and 2 for JFC) direct from MARTAC due to the following technical reasons: there are features associated with this platform that are currently unique in the market place: it is proven to be low observable – radar cross section, thermal signature, noise signature – and this has been independently validated; it is able to semi-submerge on demand (gator mode), reducing its visible signature to almost zero – this is currently a feature unique to MARTAC’s MANTAS T12; it is integrated with payloads and a ground control station making it capable of operation as a complete system without further development (i.e. TRL9). Everything else on the market at the time of survey either failed one of the low observable characteristics or was available only as a development project (i.e. not OTS). The implied requirement here is pace — we wish to explore the potential military advantage of this capability at pace, which is why we drove toward OTS as a requirement.
Contacted by Naval News, Bruce Hanson, MARTAC’s CEO said:
We are excited to be supplying MANTAS T12’s to the UK MOD. They performed a successful 3 month test cycle of the T12 last year. We learned that they are the real deal and great group to work with. We feel this will give them capabilities they have not had before and support their overall strategies.
About MARTAC’s MANTAS T12 USV
The MANTAS family of USV is a multi-role catamaran, proficient at performing in open ocean, riverine and inland waters delivering greater mission flexibility than traditional manned systems.
MANTAS T12 variant specifications
- Length: 12 ft
- Width: 3ft
- Height: 14 in
- Draft: 7 in
- Craft weight: 210 lbs
- Max payload weight: 140 lbs
- Burst speed: 40 kts
- Cruise speed: 8-20 kts
- Cruising range: 60 nm
- Ocean capable: sea state 4+
MANTAS USV key features
- Extended in-field operations with open architecture and modular design allowing for rapid adaptation and integration of sensors, advance communications and improved energy payload
- Highly reliable systems with waterproof components within the MANTAS hull
- Optional “Stealth” Mode with a positively buoyant hull to minimize detection and perform “decks awash” operations
- Performs in environments and conditions where other USV’s are unable due to MANTAS’ high-performance envelope.
MANTAS USV typical missions
