VEHICLE REVIEW | U-MAV – Modular unmanned amphibious craft capable of beach landing in hostile areas

FNSS has developed U-MAV, an eight-tonne modular unmanned amphibious vehicle intended to conduct high-risk beach preparation ahead of crewed marine assault vehicles. The 5.4-metre platform offers ten interchangeable mission configurations for tasks including obstacle clearance, mine neutralisation and support to landing forces, with a 300-horsepower diesel engine and stated water speed of seven knots. Operators control it through a three-kilometre line-of-sight link extendable by UAV relay, while link loss triggers a safe stop and configured recovery behaviour. U-MAV remains a company-funded research and development project, with customer discussions underway rather than an announced production order.