robotic autonomous systems (RAS) Archives

Hung Cao, then-undersecretary of the Navy, meets with Capt. John Frye, commanding officer, U.S. Naval Base Guam, Feb. 23, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by Rey Rabara)

UAS is ‘the new’ IED: Hung Cao urges industry to innovate faster against modern drone threats

Cao made his first high-profile public address since he was elevated to acting SECNAV following a major leadership shakeup and ouster last week.

5 days ago By Brandi Vincent

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Dec, 6, 2024) – An IVER4 900 autonomous-underwater vehicle (AUV) is deployed during the Australia, United Kingdom and U.S. (AUKUS) Pillar II Subsea and Seabed Warfare Event Two/Integrated Battle Problem 25.1. During the event, U.S. Navy, Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy personnel launched, tested and provided demonstrations for several unmanned underwater vehicles, to include the Mission Specialist Defender Mark IV remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) and the IVER4 900 autonomous-underwater vehicle. (Image produced utilizing a screen capture from video.) (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Justin E. Yarborough)

DARPA shares ‘Deep Thoughts’ solicitation for autonomous underwater drones

The program is focused on several technical areas, including AUV designs.

Apr 24, 2026 By Jon Harper

NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO (Feb. 5, 2024) The first four Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Crafts (GARCs) are delivered to Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron 3 (USVRON 3). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kelby Sanders)

Navy PAE for robotic and autonomous systems preparing to release marketplace roadmap

The Navy has been pondering the right mix of GOGO and COCO platforms for the portfolio.

Apr 22, 2026 By Jon Harper

Team members from the U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA, and Water Mapping experts get underway for advanced drone training with the USCG Cutter Blackfin, off the Santa Barbara coast, July 25, 2023. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Richard B. Uranga).

Coast Guard adopts ‘whole new mission’ for drone defense at high-security events

“Most of the interest is domestic," an official said. "It is the World Cup sites, it is domestically-hosted events that are nationally significant security events.”

Apr 21, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence

Seahawk, a Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) prototype, departs Naval Base Point Loma, California, Aug. 6, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Zahn)

Navy considers new Warfighting Development Center for robotic and autonomous systems

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle supplied modernization updates at the Navy League’s Sea Air Space convention.

Apr 20, 2026 By Brandi Vincent

A U.S. Navy Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) maneuvers in the Atlantic Ocean during UNITAS 2025, the 66th iteration of the world’s longest-running multinational maritime exercise. (Official U.S. Navy photo)

Navy looking to emulate signals on maritime drones to train systems for Pacific Fleet

The Defense Innovation Unit is trying to aid the Navy via its Emulation Module for Unmanned Systems (EMU) program.

Apr 2, 2026 By Jon Harper

Pentagon preparing for drone swarm ‘crucible’

The Swarm Forge initiative is one of the “pace-setting” projects that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called for earlier this year.

Mar 31, 2026 By Jon Harper

Navy creating new marketplace for maritime drones as it looks to ‘surge capacity’ for Golden Fleet

The Navy is reconfiguring its model for buying autonomous watercraft that can navigate and manage cargo with little to no human input.

Mar 26, 2026 By Brandi Vincent

Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) stand watch in the ship’s Combat Information Center during an operation in the Red Sea to defeat a combination of Houthi missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, Oct. 19, 2023. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Lau)

Navy program turns ships into continuous data pipelines for AI development

Applied Intuition has delivered the first Data Edge Collection Kit to the Navy, which will allow the service to constantly collect AI-ready data from the operational environment.

Mar 19, 2026 By Mikayla Easley

Lt. Elliot Reed, right, assigned to Air Department aboard the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), signals to a Carrier Air Wing 8 F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 87, as it launches from the flight deck, July 14, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tajh Payne)

How real-world ops are informing Naval Information Forces’ modernization pursuits

NAVIFOR plays a key part in the Navy’s ongoing integration of information warfare capabilities into its Maritime Operations Centers.

Feb 17, 2026 By Brandi Vincent