unmanned surface vessel Archives

NAVAL BASE CORONADO (May 15, 2024) – Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) from Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron 3 (USVRON 3) operate remotely in San Diego Bay ahead of the unit’s establishment ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Claire M. DuBois)

Navy stands up new robo-ship squadron as Pentagon pursues Replicator systems

USVRON Three, commanded by Capt. Derek Rader, will oversee a fleet of small uncrewed surface vessels.

May 20, 2024 By Jon Harper

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks is walks with Director of the Defense Innovation Unit Doug Beck during a visit to the Defense Innovation Unit, Mountain View, California, Dec. 12, 2023. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

Pentagon secures $500M for first tranche of Replicator systems

A stated goal of Replicator is to accelerate programs and field thousands of “attritable autonomous” systems across multiple domains by August 2025, to help the U.S. armed…

May 6, 2024 By Jon Harper

The MARTAC T-38 Devil Ray autonomous unmanned surface vessel (USV) built by Maritime Tactical Systems demonstrates an autonomous high-speed pass along the port side of the Spearhead-Class expeditionary fast transport vessel USNS Burlington (T-EPF-10) amongst onlookers from the Scientists-to-Sea program underway during the Navy’s Fleet Experimentation Program (FLEX), Oct. 17, 2022. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steven Khor/Released)

DIU shopping for autonomous robo-boats with swarming capabilities for US Navy

The organization is on the hunt for low-cost unmanned surface vessels that could go into production next year

Jan 30, 2024 By Jon Harper

SAN DIEGO (May 13, 2022) – The medium-displacement unmanned surface vessel Sea Hunter sits pierside at Naval Base San Diego, during the Unmanned Surface Vessel Division (USDIV) One establishment ceremony. USDIV One will focus on unmanned surface vessel experimentation and fleet advocacy for the surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin C. Leitner)

Navy pursuing fixes for robo-ships after observing ‘inappropriate’ interactions at sea

The service continues to learn as it gains more experience deploying unmanned surface vessels and putting them through their paces in exercises and other scenarios.

Jan 19, 2024 By Jon Harper

PEARL HARBOR (June 29, 2022) – The large unmanned surface vessel Ranger arrives at Pearl Harbor to participate in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Demitrius J. Williams)

Navy issues new RFI for large unmanned surface vessel

Naval Sea Systems Command released a sources-sought notice Nov. 3 for the LUSV.

Nov 6, 2023 By Jon Harper

The unmanned surface vessel (USV) Ranger conducts a replenishment-at-sea with the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10) as the USV Mariner transits nearby during Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 23.2, Sep. 16, 2023. IBP 23.2 is a Pacific Fleet exercise to test, develop and evaluate the integration of unmanned platforms into fleet operations to create warfighting advantages. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jesse Monford)

Cadre of advanced Navy robo-ships transit the Pacific, make first-ever port call in Japan

Four uncrewed surface vessels recently transited across the Pacific Ocean via the U.S. Navy’s Integrated Battle Problem 23.2 exercise.

Sep 22, 2023 By Brandi Vincent

A Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MCM USV) is recovered onboard USS Manchester (LCS 14) during Unmanned Influence Sweep System initial operational test and evaluation, June 2021. (Navy photo)

Navy’s robotics-enabled mine countermeasures mission package achieves initial operational capability

The MCM MP includes an integrated suite of unmanned maritime systems and sensors.

May 2, 2023 By Jon Harper

The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6) sails in the Gulf of Thailand, May 7, 2022.. The Navy is currently studying whether LCS could serve as mother ships for unmanned systems. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Alexandra Green)

Mother ships for drones will be ‘extremely important’ for the Navy’s future fleet, Secretary Del Toro says

The Navy is looking at options to meet that need.

Feb 22, 2023 By Jon Harper

A Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessel operates in the Arabian Gulf, Nov. 29, during Digital Horizon 2022. The three-week unmanned and artificial intelligence integration event involves employing new platforms in the region for the first time. (U.S. photo by Sgt. Brandon Murphy)

Deploying contractor-owned robotic vessels could be a fruitful long-term option for the Navy, Secretary Del Toro says

During an interview with DefenseScoop, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said contractor-owned drones could help the sea service overcome acquisition challenges and keep pace with technological change.

Feb 1, 2023 By Jon Harper

Rear Adm. Wikoff tapped to command Navy’s 5th Fleet, which oversees unmanned task force

If confirmed, Wikoff's assignments would connect him to Task Force 59, which is developing a “mesh network” of unmanned surface vessels and other assets enabled by artificial…

Jan 27, 2023 By Jon Harper