"Ghost Trail" will be displayed in Okinawa. Why is the STR8 unmanned boat based in Taiwan?

The Ghostwake unmanned surface vehicle developed by STR8 Industries. (Picture taken from STR8 Industries)

[Compiled by Chen Chengliang/Comprehensive Report] The US military is expected to hold a one-day unmanned surface vehicle (USV) demonstration off the coast of White Beach, Okinawa, from October 19th to 23rd to demonstrate its autonomous maritime surveillance capabilities. USNI News reported that the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will send personnel to serve as observers, and the United States will be represented by representatives from the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment and Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron 7.

The display vehicle is the "Ghostwake" developed by the American company STR8 Industries. This American company chose Taiwan as its R&D, testing and manufacturing base. The key is that Taiwan can concentrate a variety of industrial capabilities in the same production environment. Phil Ho, CEO of STR8, pointed out that Taiwan has robotics, electronics, shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing capabilities, and the engineering team can quickly obtain components and establish direct cooperative relationships with suppliers.

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Less than 120 days from design to launch testing

Phil Ho said in an exclusive interview with "TaiwanPlus" in September that STR8 developed the "Ghostwake" unmanned surface vehicle, which was completed in less than 120 days from concept design to actual launch testing. He pointed out that Taiwan can quickly supply the required components, and the engineering team can also work directly with suppliers and continuously modify the design based on user opinions and actual offshore test results. Taiwan's electronics, shipbuilding, robotics and manufacturing resources have therefore become an important condition for STR8 to promote the development of Ghostwake.

STR8 has included Taiwan in Ghostwake’s R&D and production layout. "Naval News" reported in August that the company plans to use Taiwan's industrial base to promote the mass production of Ghostwake and has tested it in the waters surrounding Taiwan. The report also mentioned that the company is cooperating with an unnamed shipyard in Kaohsiung to plan a production capacity of 200 ships per year at a single site.

According to the manufacturer's specifications quoted by "Naval News", Ghostwake can reach a maximum speed of 55 knots, which is equivalent to about 102 kilometers per hour, and has a payload capacity of 350 kilograms. It is claimed that it can be continuously on duty at sea for 7 days.

The U.S. military is scheduled to demonstrate Ghostwake's autonomous maritime surveillance capabilities off the coast of White Beach, Okinawa, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will participate as an observer. The USNI News report listed the event as taking place between October 19th and 23rd.