The U.S, military has issued a Request for Information on available technologies that could aid development of a new type of unmanned surface vessel.

The technologies sought by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency are sensor systems and image-processing hardware and software that use electro-optical/infrared or light detection and ranging, or LIDAR, approaches for onboard systems to detect and track nearby surface vessels and potential navigation hazards, and classify those objects' characteristics.

The technologies would be for its Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel, or ACTUV program, which seeks development of an unmanned surface vessel that could independently track quiet diesel-electric submarines over thousands of miles.

"We're looking for test-ready, multi-sensor approaches that push the boundaries of today's automated sensing systems for unmanned surface vessels," said Scott Littlefield, DARPA program manager. "Enhancing the ability of these kinds of vessels to sense their environment in all weather and traffic conditions, day or night, would significantly advance our ability to conduct a range of military missions."

DARPA said a challenge for the program is development of autonomous behaviors for complying with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, known as COLREGS. The current ACTUV system is based on radar, which provides a "90 percent solution" for detecting other ships but less suitable for classification of the type of other vessels, for example determining whether the vessel is a powered vessel or a sailboat.

COLREGS also requires "a proper lookout by sight and hearing."

DARPA is seeking information in three areas: maritime perception sensors, maritime perception software, classification software for day shapes/navigation lights: Algorithms and software to support detection, tracking and classification of day shapes and navigation lights—standard tools that vessels use to communicate a ship's position and status—by using passive optical or non-radar active imagers.