In this episode of the Shawn Ryan Show, former Navy SEAL Dino Mavrookas discusses the current state of U.S. naval capabilities compared to China's rapid maritime expansion. He outlines the stark contrast in shipbuilding capacity between the two nations and examines the challenges facing U.S. defense innovation, including bureaucratic procurement processes and the concentration of defense contracts among a handful of major contractors.
Mavrookas then shares insights into how his company, Seranic, approaches these challenges through the development of autonomous maritime platforms. He details the technical capabilities of their vessel fleet, which can operate independently or in coordinated groups, and explains how their modular design supports various military applications. The discussion covers Seranic's production facilities and their collaboration with military partners to address evolving naval requirements.
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The contrast in naval capabilities between the U.S. and China is stark. According to Dino Mavrookas, while the U.S. built 18,000 ships in 1943, it only constructed 8 ships in 2023 while retiring 12, resulting in a net loss of 4 vessels. The disparity is even more pronounced in shipbuilding capacity: China can build 23 million gross tons annually, compared to the U.S.'s mere 100,000 tons—a 230:1 ratio. In just 25 years, China has grown from 5% to 50% of global shipbuilding capacity, while the U.S. remains at 0.1%.
The U.S. faces significant obstacles in defense procurement and innovation. Mavrookas points out that the defense acquisition process is slow and bureaucratic, often taking over four years to complete. The dominance of the "Big 5" contractors—Lockheed, Raytheon, Northrop, Boeing, and General Dynamics—who control 50% of government contracts, further stifles innovation from smaller companies.
Seranic, led by former Navy Seal Dino Mavroukas, is developing autonomous maritime platforms to address these challenges. Their fleet includes vessels ranging from 6 to 150 feet, equipped with advanced sensors and impressive capabilities. For instance, their 24-foot Corsair vessel boasts a 1,000 nautical mile range and 1,000-pound payload capacity.
The company is expanding its production facilities, with an upgraded 420,000-square-foot facility in Austin and plans for a Louisiana shipyard. Their software platform enables a single operator to manage multiple vessels simultaneously, with the boats capable of autonomous navigation and coordinated operations.
Seranic's vessels can operate independently or in supervised swarms, using onboard intelligence for autonomous operations. The platforms are designed to be resilient in contested environments, functioning even during communication disruptions thanks to edge processing capabilities and military-grade encryption.
Mavrookas emphasizes that their modular design allows for integration of various mission payloads, from sensors to weapons systems. The company maintains close partnerships with the military to ensure their autonomous solutions meet evolving naval requirements and support new capabilities.
1-Page Summary
The podcast discusses the critical condition of U.S. naval capabilities and shipbuilding capacity compared to China's aggressive expansion in the same area, focusing on the disparity in production and preparedness.
The guests outline the alarming decline in U.S. shipbuilding vis-à-vis China's impressive growth in the sector.
The U.S. constructed an impressive 18,000 ships in the year 1943; however, in 2023, the scenario is dismal with only eight ships built, and 12 retired, leaving a net loss of four vessels. Dino Mavrookas highlights the stark contrast between the World War II era productivity and today's output.
Both Mavrookas and the U.S. Naval statistics reveal that China can construct 23 million gross tons of ships every year, while the United States can muster a mere 100,000 gross tons, setting a staggering 230:1 ratio. In just 25 years, China expanded from holding 5% to 50% of the world's global shipbuilding capacity, whereas the U.S. currently stands at only 0.1%.
Mavrookas points out that China is extensively outperforming the U.S. in shipbuilding, having achieved a 3-to-1 ratio in combatant ships and holding an overwhelming 230 times the shipbuilding capacity. In less than a quarter-century, the Chinese navy has not only expanded dramatically but has also been specifically developing military solutions aimed at countering U.S. power.
The episode also sheds light on systemic challenges the U.S. faces in maintaining and innovating its defense industry.
The show tackles the sluggish U.S. defense procurement system, criticized by Mavrookas as ill-suited for rapid technological change. He explains that the defense technology acquisition process can take upwards of four years, often rendering the technology outdated by the time it's implemented.
Mavrookas touches upon the stifling effect of the "Big 5" defense contractors' dominance on private defense innovators. The massive consolidation in the defense contracting sector since 1993 has left ...
U.S. Shipbuilding and Naval Capability Crisis vs. China
Seranic is taking a unique approach to reinvent U.S. shipbuilding through the development and production of autonomous maritime platforms. With the combined expertise in military, technology, and policy, the company is gearing up to scale production and drive the adoption of new capabilities in collaboration with government, military, and industry partners.
Seranic, under the leadership of Dino Mavroukas, a former Navy Seal, is working towards outpacing Chinese shipbuilding capabilities. Mavroukas emphasizes the need for a significant reduction in manpower by adopting autonomous platforms, especially in response to recruiting issues and the need to compete against countries with larger populations and mandatory military service.
The company crafts modular, scalable boats ranging from 6 to 150 feet, with advanced sensors, long-range capabilities, and high payload capacities. There's a focus on versatility, with the boats tailored to fit both military and commercial uses. The Corsair, a 24-foot vessel, boasts a 1,000 nautical mile range and a 1,000-pound payload capacity. Similarly, the smaller six-foot boat has a 30 nautical mile range with a 40-pound capacity, and the 14-foot boat extends to a 300 nautical mile range with a 200-pound payload capacity. These boats are equipped with multiple cameras for a 360-degree view and are designed with dual-use in mind to ensure resiliency in military supply needs.
Seranic's software platform allows for flexibility in handling a variety of payloads, ranging from sensors to electronic warfare and kinetic capabilities. It permits a single operator to manage multiple boats, potentially hundreds, due to its scalability. These boats can autonomously plot routes and execute coordinated operations, sharing information with the operator and with each other. Designed to be modular in both hardware and software, Seranic's platforms can be quickly adapted to changing mission requirements.
Seranic is heavily investing in their production capabilities. With an upgraded facility in Austin and plans for a shipyard in Louisiana, they aim to scale up their output significantly. The Austin site will expand to 420,000 square feet to help increase production from hundreds to thousands of boats per year. Meanwhile, the Louisiana shipyard is set to produce 50 autonomous ships annually, with the intention of manufacturing hundreds each year as the company grows.
With Mavroukas’ Navy Seal background providing him with a deep understanding of military needs and innovation challenges, and an all-star team of experts in maritime autonomy, software engineering, and government contracting, Seranic is poised to make a significant impact in the maritime industry.
Rob, with a wealth of experie ...
Seranic's Approach To Reindustrializing U.S. Shipbuilding Through Autonomy
Seranic is filling a crucial gap in the market for autonomous surface boats that the Navy needs to maintain naval superiority. Mavrookas highlights the advent of Seranic's autonomous vessels and how their innovative design addresses various contemporary maritime challenges.
Seranic has developed advanced autonomous vessels, enabling independent operations that could form a vast listening network for submarine detection. These vessels function with minimal human oversight due to the onboard intelligence, such as perception built into the autonomy and a 360-degree view enabled by multiple cameras, capable of coordinating actions among multiple boats.
The innovative architecture allows a single operator to control a fleet of these vessels, simplifying tasks that would've needed extensive human intervention, like navigating routes for each boat. Instead, general mission directives are programmed into the boats' software, and the vessels communicate with each other to share tasks and avoid collisions efficiently.
Seranic's platforms are designed to survive in contested maritime environments, functioning even amid communication jamming. Intelligence at the edge allows these vessels to process information locally and remain operational even with disrupted communications. This capability is further enhanced by military-grade encryption and rigorous cybersecurity measures designed to protect against threats like corporate espionage by nation-states.
The modular ...
Capabilities and Concepts of Seranic's Autonomous Maritime Systems
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