USV Archives

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) pulls into Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan Oct. 16, 2026. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Hannah Fry)

US Navy deploys unmanned maritime drone to support carrier strike group in historic first

Acting Secretary Hung Cao announced the significant fleet integration this week.

4 days ago By Brandi Vincent

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…

Oct 7, 2026 By Vice Adm. Michael Connor (ret.) Yoni Tobin

HII’s ROMULUS 151 unmanned surface vessel in production at Breaux Brothers in New Iberia, Louisiana. (Photo courtesy of HII)

Navy to procure 30 robotic ships at an average cost of $40M per vessel

The announcement comes less than a week after the service established a Robotic and Autonomous Systems Warfighting Development Center that’s expected to play a major role in…

Sep 30, 2026 By Jon Harper

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

Smoke rises after Iran carried out a missile strike on the main headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet in Manama in retaliation against US-Israeli attacks, in Bahrain February 28, 2026. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Memo outlines new policies for military families affected by war-triggered evacuation from Bahrain

Bahrain has been a key location and innovation hub for the U.S. Navy.

Sep 1, 2026 By Brandi Vincent

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