000011150 001__ 11150 000011150 005__ 20250109145518.0 000011150 0247_ $$2doi$$a10.24868/11150 000011150 037__ $$aGENERAL 000011150 245__ $$aAdvancing Unmanned Surface Vessel Design: A Circular Economy Response to Global Conflict Evolution 000011150 269__ $$a2024-11-06 000011150 336__ $$aConference Proceedings 000011150 520__ $$aThis paper explores the application of Circular Economy (CE) principles to enhance the supply of Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) to the defence market. It investigates the advantages of using USVs for maritime operations, especially in conflict regions, highlighting their compact size and versatility, enabling them to execute critical missions. The implementation of CE principles in USV design encourages improvements in sustainability, availability, and suitability for diverse mission requirements, aligning with the UK defence capability network's focus on equipment upgrades for enhanced readiness. The paper investigates how CE principles can reduce production lead times, improve operational availability, and offer broader benefits to both defence customers and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), focusing on five key metrics: recyclability and repair, minimisation of waste and emissions, optimisation for longevity, decrease in part count, and design for disassembly. 000011150 7001_ $$aBrooks, D$$uSubSea Craft 000011150 7001_ $$aFaria, H$$uSubSea Craft 000011150 773__ $$tConference Proceedings of iSCSS 000011150 773__ $$jiSCSS 2024 000011150 8564_ $$uhttps://library.imarest.org/record/11150/files/iSCSS_24_paper_22.pdf$$9e3a64c66-fb1a-4039-aacb-91b2ebbce97c$$s2213594