Navy Sets Up New Uncrewed Task Force in Europe, Africa
HEATHER MONGILIO
JULY 11, 2024 4:38 PM
For the past six months, the Navy has been studying the integration of uncrewed systems in a program out of Naval Forces Europe-Africa.
Task Force 66, established in November, is similar to Task Force 59 in Central Command or Southern Command’s hybrid force, Rear Adm. Michael Mattis told USNI News last week. The task force is made up of 40 civilian and military personnel, according to a Navy release announcing the creation.
What makes Task Force 66 different is the unique challenges of its area of responsibility, as well as its work with partners, Mattis said.
Unlike the Indo-Pacific, the Europe-Africa area of response includes smaller bodies of water like the Mediterranean or the Gulf of Guinea. But they each come with their own sea state challenges or contains added by shipping lanes.
In May, the task force launched a pilot program focused on maritime domain awareness using the Ocean Aero Triton platform, he said. That pilot is now being operated in Portugal.
https://news.usni.org/2024/07/11/navy-sets-up-new-uncrewed-task-force-in-europe-africa
