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www.seadiscovery.com The unmanned maritime systems (UMS) market is coming of age, rapidly evolving under the combined impact of changing economies, operational and tech-nological advances, and maritime threats. The UMS defense market is forecasted to exceed a cumulative $7 billion between 2012 and 2020, whereas the UMS security market is expected to surpass a cumulative $600 million between 2012 and 2020. Although the UMS security market remains considerably smaller than the defense market, the growth rate of the securi- ty market is forecasted to be much more robust than that of the defense market. It is quite obvious that although the unmanned maritime market is still emerging, the number of stakeholders is very small compared to unmanned aerial vehicle markets, and challenges abound - with each challenge so aboundopportunities for those who know what to pick up and how to execute. Many factors are leading the surge of interest in UMS. Here are a few below: Maritime Security on the increase and changing: terrorists? attack on the USS Cole in 2000, increasing maritime piracy despite attempts to curb it, the risingthreat of Iran in the Middle East, territorial disputes in Eastern Asia, asymmetric warfare on the rise - all con- tribute to nations? need to better secure littorals, ports, estuaries, channels, and bodies of water. UMS offer improved response capabilities to the new maritime security threats - better than traditional equipment that has not changed in nature since the sixties. Evolving Technologies: The transition from large and expensive vessels to multi-mission frigates results in the introduction of a number of new vessels, some already in operation and others just conceptual. These new designs are meant to undertake a number of mis- sions, from mine countermeasure to surface warfare. These ships, less capable than multiple dedicated ships,rely on UMS to perform specific missions. UMS offer to increase both power and capabilities. Military Budget Pressures: Economic pressures are forcing many nations to reduce their military budget. Homeland and security budgets are already strained, inadequately funded, and suffer even more. This means that fleet of vessels are insufficient and delayed. The trend to have fewer but more capable ships is now resulting in a lesser naval force. Cruisers and destroyers are giving way to cheaper multi-mission frigates. Ships are used past their recommended operational life. More importantly, as manpower remains the most expensive MTR#8 (18-33):MTR Layouts 10/11/2011 1:36 PM Page 25