046 — Uncrewed Surface Vessel
BRYD led the naval architecture and global design of the 14-metre NeedleFish Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV), developed with Ocean Infinity for the Kuwait Coast Guard.
From a blank sheet of paper to an operational fleet in under seven months, NeedleFish is one of BRYD’s most significant autonomous projects to date.
Four high-speed twin-hull USVs were developed as part of Kuwait’s Integrated Maritime Surveillance Programme, supporting persistent patrol, surveillance, mapping and data-gathering operations across its territorial waters.
Designed from the Ground Up for Uncrewed Operations
NeedleFish was developed specifically for remote and autonomous operation rather than adapted from an existing crewed platform. At 14 metres long and approximately 6 metres wide, its wave-slicing twin-hull configuration combines high-speed performance, seakeeping and platform stability with the space and flexibility required for its onboard technology.
Powered by twin marine waterjets, NeedleFish can reach more than 40 mph. It carries live-stream cameras, radar and other sensors, transmitting data back to shore-based command centres as part of the SRT C5iSR maritime domain awareness system covering Kuwait’s approximately 11,000 km² of territorial waters.
Project overview
Design Parameters
General Statistics
- Length (hull)
- 14.0 m
- Length overall
- 15.0 m
- Beam overall
- 5.9 m
- Demi-hull spacing
- 3.66 m
- Height from baseline
- 6.68 m (to top of mast)
- Lightship displacement
- 11,250 kg
- Loaded displacement
- 17,500 kg
- Hull form
- Wave-slicing twin hull
- Construction
- Aluminium hulls, composite roof
- Fleet
- Four vessels
General Features
- Propulsion
- Twin marine waterjets
- Top speed
- 35+ knots (40+ mph)
- Endurance
- Multiple days at sea
- Operating area
- Approx. 11,000 km² of Kuwaiti territorial waters
- Payload
- Live-stream cameras, radar and surveillance sensors
- Operation
- Remote and autonomous, beyond line of sight
- Control
- Shore-based command centres
- Transport
- Removable 3 m bow section; 12 m for air freight
- Operator
- Kuwait Coast Guard
Design & Engineering
BRYD’s Contribution
BRYD’s role focused on developing the marine platform around the operational requirements, working closely with Ocean Infinity and the wider engineering and systems teams throughout the programme. Our scope included concept design, naval architecture, 3D development of the vessel, hull form development and hydrodynamic optimisation, general arrangement and platform configuration, configuration around autonomous systems and mission payloads, and integration support throughout development, build and deployment.
The challenge was to develop the vessel and its technology together. Hull performance, machinery, payloads, equipment access and platform configuration all had to evolve alongside the autonomy, communications and surveillance systems.
Rapid Development
Four vessels progressed from concept through design and into delivery in under seven months. It started with a sketch drawn on a plane, which Ben developed into the first vessel concept over a weekend. Four months later NeedleFish was in production. Design, engineering, autonomy, systems integration and manufacture progressed concurrently, with BRYD maintaining an adaptable global 3D model and responding rapidly as requirements developed.
The vessels were built at two UK shipyards and flown to Kuwait aboard two chartered Antonov heavy-lift aircraft, the only aircraft large enough to carry them.
Designed for the Real World
NeedleFish operates in a demanding environment where extreme heat, high salinity, humidity, corrosion, vibration and biofouling place continuous stresses on the vessel and its systems.
For an uncrewed platform expected to undertake persistent operations, reliability, maintainability and systems integration have to be considered from the outset. There is no crew onboard to continuously monitor machinery or respond as conditions change.
NeedleFish is now providing that real-world proof — demonstrating the importance of developing the naval architecture, engineering and autonomous systems as one integrated platform.
Gallery
Images and drawings
BRYD services on this project
