Patrol boats HMS Puncher and Smiter – based in Portsmouth and Devonport respectively – took their place in the order of battle alongside much larger vessels on Baltops 26.
Running since the early 1970s, the exercise is focused on the security of Baltic waters and the nations which border it.
P2000-class patrol boats are regular players in Baltops, typically charged with causing havoc among other ships by playing fast attack craft determined to inflict damage … or else acting as guardians, fending such attacks off.
This year HMS Puncher and Smiter were asked to support the US Navy’s Task Force 66 (“Six Six, not Sixty Six”), the Sixth Fleet’s principal naval group, and USVRON (Uncrewed Surface Vessel squadron) Division 32.
The latter added GARCs to the Baltops mix: Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft, similar to the small, uncrewed boats the Royal Navy is currently trialling.
Not 16ft long yet capable of operating in seas up to State 5 (rough conditions with up to 13ft waves), GARCs can carry one-ton payloads, moving around at speeds up to 40 knots. More typically, cruising along at 22 knots they can operate for up to 700 nautical miles.
The US Navy uses them for a string of missions: intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, target spotting, mobile gunnery targets (similar to the Royal Navy’s ‘Sharpshooter’ exercises) thwarting drone attacks… or taking part in them.
In confined waters or where there are several allied vessels sailing in close proximity, for safety reasons the robot boats require an operator who can see them – just as you would drive a remote-controlled model around a lake in a park.
The open flying bridge of the P2000s provides a good vantage point in such situations, so Puncher and Smiter hosted GARC operators who directed the robot boats when within the line of sight – especially in congested waters – using a small bright yellow controller (similar to what you’d find on an X-Box or PlayStation). While in open sea, command of the craft was handed over to the command hub, back in Gdynia.
At times the US sailors embarked on the P2000s manoeuvred their boats in the presence of around 20 warships of differing sizes, notably at the start of Baltops.
Day running along the Pomeranian coast, towing the small GARCs behind them, Puncher and Smiter’s efforts were concentrated between the picture-postcard port of Ustka and the major Polish naval base in Gdynia in the Bay of Gdansk.
“Baltops has been a thoroughly enjoyable deployment for all of the ship’s companies from the Coastal Forces Squadron,” said Chief Petty Officer Grant Mallion, HMS Puncher’s second-in-command.
“It has provided a great balance of tasking at sea integrating with our NATO partners along with opportunities to socialise with our European allies and experience their culture.”
The remotely-operated craft were used as targets for a live fire gunnery exercise, worked in conjunction with a US F-35 Lightning and Polish marines, launched swarm attacks against the American command ship USS Mount Whitney, and finally laid on a show for the media near Gdynia.
The US USV Squadron will analyse the lessons of Baltops, while the Coastal Forces Squadron will share its experiences with the RN’s drone and hybrid warfare experts upon their return home.
With the Royal Navy increasingly driving towards creating a hybrid navy of crewed and uncrewed craft and systems over, on and beneath the waves, Lieutenant Mike Robinson, Puncher’s Commanding Officer, said the experience had been invaluable.
“Working with Task Force 66 and USV Squadron Division 32 as a combined US/UK and a hybrid crewed/uncrewed unit has been a fantastic opportunity for both teams to develop our understanding of how we can enhance each other’s capabilities,” he said.
“Coastal Forces Squadron’s P2000s and crews provided a pivotal ‘mother ship’ and coordination role, allowing the GARCs to reach out to a range of 180 nautical miles.”
Working with Task Force 66 and USV Squadron Division 32 as a combined US/UK and a hybrid crewed/uncrewed unit has been a fantastic opportunity for both teams to develop our understanding of how we can enhance each other’s capabilities.
Lieutenant Mike Robinson, HMS Puncher