“The world needs tens of thousands of these (USVs),” he said. “There are only hundreds floating around today.”
Success with the US Army’s Black Widow programme may have strengthened Red Cat’s international position, but executives believe the next growth opportunity lies in uncrewed surface vessels.
www.shephardmedia.com
While aerial drone markets are becoming increasingly crowded, Red Cat sees maritime autonomy as a sector still in its infancy. That opportunity is being pursued through BlueOps, the company’s maritime subsidiary led by president Barry Hinckley.
“The world is three-quarters ocean,” Hinckley told Shephard. “Many of the areas that the US and its allies are interested in are surrounded by water, and you cannot get there with a road.”
BlueOps is developing a family of USVs that it believes could offer a lower-cost alternative to traditional naval platforms for surveillance and maritime security. According to Hinckley, the market remains significantly underdeveloped.
The Variant 7 integrates with Red Cat’s suite of ISR drone systems. (Photo: Red Cat)
“The world needs tens of thousands of these,” he said. “There are only hundreds floating around today.”
....
One of the more notable areas of focus identified by BlueOps is South America.
Rather than concentrating solely on large Western naval powers, executives pointed towards countries with extensive coastlines but limited budgets for major surface combatants. Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico were all highlighted as potential future operators.
“Large countries that are allies with small budgets can now get legitimately in the game of coastal protection,” Hinckley said.
....
Here is Red Cat's Short Range Reconnaissance drone - US Army platoon level, recce squads and 60 mm mortar squads.
BLACK WIDOW ™ MADE IN THE USAMADE IN THE USA The Black Widow™ Short Range Reconnaissance drone is a U.S.- manufactured, dual-use system delivering critical ISR for defense and security, […]
redcat.red
www.navalnews.com
