UNMANNED x KIVI/KNVTS [UNMANNED I]

Charting the Unmanned Horizon: A Post-Conference Reflection from The Hague

Earlier this year, in the historic halls of the KIVI building in The Hague, an engaged audience gathered for an in-depth exploration into one of the most transformative forces in modern military strategy: unmanned technology in naval warfare. Hosted under the KNVTS TekTalk banner, this conference invited participants on a journey across centuries of innovation and into a future defined by autonomy, modularity, and reimagined force projection.

A Journey Through Time and Innovation

The presentation opened by looking backward—to the Siege of Tyre in 332 BC and the Battle of Red Cliffs in 208 AD—highlighting how ingenuity and asymmetric tactics have always shaped the seas. From Greek siege platforms to Chinese fire ships and the explosive ingenuity of the Age of Sail, the session emphasized that the seeds of today’s revolution were planted long ago.

Fast forward to the early 20th century, the audience was introduced to the Fernlenkboot of World War I and Italian explosive motorboats of World War II—prototypes in spirit of what would become today’s highly capable Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs).

The State of Affairs: Global Developments in USVs and UUVs

A key portion of the session dove into contemporary systems across the globe. From the US Navy’s Sea Hunter and USS Ranger programs to the UK's C-Sweep USV, and from Ukraine’s low-cost, high-impact platforms (Magura V5, Sea Baby) to China’s heavily armed Thunderer A2000, the audience saw a snapshot of today’s distributed, unmanned naval power.

Australia, South Korea, and Russia are also investing in unique platforms—from fully autonomous landing craft to concept carriers powered by hydrogen fuel cells—highlighting a global race toward an increasingly unmanned maritime battlespace.

Looking Ahead: Distributed Fleets and Future Doctrine

Using the US Navy’s FY2020–FY2024 investment figures as a springboard, the session transitioned into foresight. The concept of distributed naval architectures—where unmanned systems extend reach, reduce risk, and allow persistent operations—was discussed as a strategic imperative. Budget data reflected both commitment and acceleration: over $4.5 billion earmarked for LUSVs, MUSVs, and XLUUVs.

In this context, participants were invited to reflect critically through interactive exercises, plotting the course from where we are to where we need to be. Central questions emerged: What happened? What’s our goal? How do we get there?

The Unmanned Equation: Technology, Ethics, and Human Purpose

No exploration of unmanned systems is complete without considering the broader equation: what do these shifts mean for personnel, industry, and ethics? Discussions examined crewing models, autonomous decision-making, and the human factors influencing platform design. Topics ranged from hypoxic spaces and modular payloads to condition monitoring and AI-integration, all in pursuit of more sustainable and resilient naval operations.

A thought-provoking section highlighted the human-centric tensions within this technological wave: from ethical implications and training pipelines to the talent gap emerging in naval and shipbuilding industries.

Closing Reflections: Mission, Work & Purpose

The event concluded not just with data, but with reflection. Participants were challenged to think not only about the "how" of unmanned systems, but the "why." What is the mission? What defines meaningful work in this evolving field? And how can purpose guide innovation as we enter a new era of maritime conflict and cooperation?

Final Thoughts

The KNVTS TekTalk was more than a presentation—it was a conversation. One that acknowledged the past, dissected the present, and dared to imagine the future of naval warfare. Held in a city synonymous with peace and international justice, the conference served as a poignant reminder: the technologies we develop today shape the global maritime order of tomorrow.

As we move forward, it is our collective responsibility—across governments, industries, and academia—to ensure these technologies serve not only strategic advantage, but shared purpose.