unmanned surface vessel Archives

A Barracuda unmanned surface vessel undergoes testing in southern Ukraine, on March 30, 2026. The multifunctional drone boat is developed by the Barracuda unit of the 40th Separate Coastal Defense Brigade, part of the 30th Marine Corps of the Ukrainian Navy. It features a modern tracking system, remote control, and artificial intelligence elements. (Photo by Nina Liashonok/Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Unmanned warfare has now expanded to the high seas. Is the U.S. ready?

The American military’s recent success with autonomous platforms — as well as the unmanned advances of partners like Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan — offers three main lessons…

4 days ago By Vice Adm. Michael Connor (ret.) Yoni Tobin

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle shakes hands with Rear Adm. Melvin Smith, commander of Submarine Group Two (COMSUBGRU 2), at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Robotic and Autonomous Systems Warfighting Development Center on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Norfolk, Virginia, Sept. 24, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Navy creates warfighting development center in Virginia to determine how the sea service will employ unmanned systems in future battles

The new organization will bring “operational coherence” to the service’s drone integration efforts, according to CNO Adm. Daryl Caudle.

Sep 25, 2026 By Jon Harper

SAN DIEGO (Aug. 6, 2025) – Seahawk, a Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) prototype, departs Naval Base Point Loma, California, Seahawk is a fully unmanned and autonomous vessel operated by Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron (USVRON) 1 and Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific in support of technology development, testing and evaluation. The surface force is integrating unmanned vessels into the fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Zahn)

Navy prepares to add new sea drones and vendors to online marketplace

The sea service released a call for solutions as it pursues medium unmanned surface vessels.

Sep 24, 2026 By Jon Harper

Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones positioned on the tarmac at a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Photo by CENTCOM Public Affairs).

Centcom creates first ‘multinational’ attack drone task force after months of war with Iran

While Adm. Brad Cooper touted the task force as a boon for regional security, Centcom declined to say whether any other countries had joined the unit, even…

Aug 13, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence

U.S. Coast Guard Crew members assigned to Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145) man their battle stations as the cutter prepares for a live-fire exercise while transiting the South China Sea, June 6, 2026. The Coast Guard Expeditionary Cutter Squadron is a deployable force of Fast Response Cutters with organic command, logistics and support capabilities, enabling sustained forward operations from partner nation locations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Dakota L. David)

Coast Guard issues RFI as it considers arming vessels with high-energy lasers

Primary “targets of interest” that the service might want to zap include aerial and maritime drones.

Jul 20, 2026 By Jon Harper

U.S. military uses Corsair maritime drones to attack Iran

The robotic platforms, which are built by Saronic, were recently employed in an attack against Iran for the first time.

Jul 13, 2026 By Jon Harper

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth hosts a drone demonstration at the Pentagon, July 10, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alondra Y. Lopez Gonzalez)

Hegseth realigning DOD’s scattered unmanned and autonomy work under new drone boss

A Pentagon spokesperson declined to share whether an interim DRPM-UxS director has been named.

Jul 1, 2026 By Brandi Vincent

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 125th Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, prepare and launch an unmanned surface vessel, during Exercise Balikatan 2026, in La Paz Sand Dunes, Laoag City, Philippines, Apr. 29, 2026. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Omarion Hall)

SOCOM looking to mount new ELINT capabilities on maritime drones

The command and the SOFWERX innovation hub are spearheading a new market research effort to see what industry has to offer.

Jun 11, 2026 By Jon Harper

An AH-64E Apache assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, prepares to land in a forward arming and refueling point in order to receive refuel before conducting operations for Operation Epic Fury in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 2, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

Trump recounts how Army pilots involved in helicopter crash and drone boat rescue were ‘very lucky’

"That bomb was lodged in the helicopter, it didn't explode, it was on fire, but it didn't explode," Trump said.

Jun 10, 2026 By Jon Harper

Autonomous Corsair maritime drone rescues US military pilots after crash near Oman

It marks the U.S. military’s first publicized use of an unmanned surface vessel to recover aircrew in real-world warfare.

Jun 9, 2026 By Brandi Vincent