US Navy Advances Future Unmanned Surface Vessel Program with Industry Collaboration

-

The United States Navy continues to push forward in the development of next-generation unmanned surface vessels (USVs), aiming to enhance operational capabilities while reducing costs and reliance on crewed ships. In pursuit of this goal, the Navy has announced an upcoming Industry Day, scheduled for June 17 in Washington, DC, where it will engage with defense contractors, technology firms, and industry experts to discuss the Future Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) program.

surfpac.navy.mil

This initiative, spearheaded by the Program Executive Office for Unmanned and Small Combatants, seeks to create an autonomous, long-endurance ship capable of maintaining operations in open waters at speeds exceeding 25 knots. Unlike previous designs—such as Medium and Large USVs, which faced challenges due to high costs, complex technology, and congressional scrutiny—the Future USV adopts a commercially-based, flexible framework that prioritizes mass production and modular adaptability.

The Navy’s vision for the Future USV hinges on modularity, a concept designed to improve adaptability and scalability. The vessel will accommodate two 40-foot equivalent unit (FEU) containerized payloads, each weighing 80,000 lbs, ensuring that it can serve multiple purposes. Depending on mission requirements, these payloads could include:

  • ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) systems, enhancing situational awareness.

  • Weapons storage and magazine payloads, increasing firepower without the need for additional crewed ships.

  • Logistical support modules, providing supply-chain efficiency in remote operations.

Rear Adm. William Daly, director of surface warfare requirements, emphasized the necessity of a streamlined approach to avoid past pitfalls. “We must ensure this vessel is cost-effective, adaptable, and mission-ready while avoiding excessive complexity that has hindered past USV developments,” Daly remarked.

The push for advanced USVs has not been without legislative hurdles. Lawmakers have consistently scrutinized the Navy’s previous attempts to develop unmanned vessels, citing concerns over funding, feasibility, and operational reliability. The Future USV program seeks to address these concerns by focusing on affordable manufacturing techniques, leveraging existing commercial standards to ensure efficiency.

Industry Day will serve as a critical platform for defense companies, innovators, and government officials to align their strategies, ensuring the vessel meets national security needs while maintaining congressional backing. By incorporating industry feedback, the Navy aims to refine its approach, setting the stage for successful integration into its fleet.

In preparation for Industry Day, the Navy will issue a Request for Information (RFI) to provide additional clarity on the program’s scope. The feedback collected will influence procurement decisions, shaping the development timeline for the Future USV. If the program progresses as planned, these vessels could begin production within the next few years, playing a crucial role in Pacific naval operations and other strategic regions.

By embracing autonomy, modular design, and cost-effective production, the Future USV promises to be a game-changer for maritime defense, offering a revolutionary approach to military strategy and technological innovation.

Popular posts from this blog

Boeing Secures $61.2M U.S. Navy Contract to Equip P-8A Poseidon with HAAWC Long-Range High-Altitude Torpedo Glide Kits

-
Image
Boeing secured a $61.2 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to deliver additional High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon Capability (HAAWC) modules for the Navy’s fleet of P-8A Poseidon aircraft. This development marks a notable shift in the operational role of the Poseidon platform, transitioning it from a traditional maritime patrol aircraft to a more versatile strike-capable system. P-8A Poseidon. navair.navy.mil The HAAWC system is designed to enhance the deployment of the Mark 54 lightweight torpedo by enabling launches from cruising altitudes. This is achieved through a winged kit that includes foldable wings and a GPS-guided navigation unit, allowing the torpedo to glide toward its target before deploying a parachute for water entry. The system draws on technologies previously developed for the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and the SLAM-ER missile, integrating lessons from long-range guided bomb programs. Operationally, the ability to launch torpedoes ...
Read more »

KC-135 Stratotanker Modernization Plan Includes Drone Deployment Capability

-
Image
The U.S. Air Force’s FY2026 budget proposal includes a notable initiative aimed at enhancing the survivability and operational flexibility of its aerial refueling fleet, specifically the KC-135 Stratotanker. Originally developed in the 1950s, the KC-135 has long served as a cornerstone of the Air Force’s global refueling operations. However, the evolving nature of modern warfare—characterized by contested airspaces and advanced anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) systems—has prompted a reevaluation of the platform’s defensive capabilities. KC-135. 507arw.afrc.af.mil Central to this proposed upgrade is the integration of a Drone Delivery Mechanism (DDM), a system designed to deploy small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from the KC-135 in flight. This concept represents a shift from passive to active defense strategies for support aircraft. Traditional countermeasures such as chaff, flares, and infrared jamming systems like LAIRCM have provided limited protection against increasingly sop...
Read more »

SPEAR 3 Missile: Revolutionary Stand-Off Weapon Set for Early 2030s Deployment

-
Image
The SPEAR 3 missile, a cutting-edge stand-off weapon designed for precision strikes, is now expected to enter service in the early 2030s. Developed by MBDA, this missile is intended to enhance the capabilities of the UK’s F-35B fighter jets, providing them with a long-range, high-precision strike option. SPEAR 3. MBDA Background and Development The Selective Precision Effects At Range (SPEAR) project began in 2006, aiming to create a series of air-launched stand-off weapons for the Royal Air Force (RAF). The SPEAR 3 missile, which shares components with the Brimstone anti-tank missile, is designed to engage mobile, fleeting, and re-locatable targets in all weather conditions, day or night. In March 2010, MBDA was awarded a £150 million contract for the assessment phase, focusing on guidance systems, warhead configurations, and test firings. A successful test launch from a Typhoon trials aircraft took place in March 2016, marking a significant milestone in its development. Integration a...
Read more »

U.S. Air Force Modernizing the B-2 Spirit with Advanced Communication and Survivability Upgrades

-
Image
B-2 Spirit. whiteman.af.mil The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, a cornerstone of the United States Air Force’s strategic capabilities, is undergoing a series of communications and survivability upgrades aimed at maintaining its operational relevance until the B-21 Raider is fully fielded. These enhancements are part of a broader modernization initiative led by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), specifically its Bombers Directorate and the B-2 Systems Program Office (SPO). The upgrades are being implemented through two Integrated Program Teams (IPTs): Advanced Communications and Survivability. The Advanced Communications team is focused on integrating a new beyond-line-of-sight satellite communications suite. This system is designed to significantly reduce the transfer time for real-time mission planning data and enable simultaneous transmission and reception of voice and data communications. This marks a substantial improvement over the B-2’s previous capabilities, which w...
Read more »

U.S. Navy Deploys USS Arkansas to Boost Stealth and Undersea Readiness

-
Image
USS Arkansas (SSN 800). HII On July 2, 2025, the U.S. Navy advanced its undersea warfare capabilities with the launch of the USS Arkansas (SSN 800), a Block IV Virginia-class submarine. Built by Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) at Newport News Shipbuilding, the vessel was transferred from its construction facility to a floating dry dock and then towed to a submarine pier for final outfitting and testing. This event marks a continuation of the Navy’s strategic efforts to modernize its fleet and maintain operational readiness amid evolving maritime challenges. The USS Arkansas is the 27th Virginia-class submarine and the 13th delivered by Newport News Shipbuilding. Ordered in 2014, its keel was laid in November 2022, with pressure hull completion in September 2023 and christening in December 2024. Commissioning is scheduled for 2026. As part of the Block IV variant, the submarine incorporates design changes aimed at reducing lifecycle costs and increasing deployment availability. Spec...
Read more »

U.S. Air Force Launches Tanker Production Extension Program to Sustain KC-46 Fleet and Refueling Capabilities

-
Image
The United States Air Force has once again revised its strategy for aerial refueling aircraft, marking a significant shift in its long-term tanker acquisition plans. This latest development centers on the introduction of a new initiative titled the “Tanker Production Extension” program, which is intended to maintain continuity in the modernization of the Air Force’s refueling fleet following the conclusion of the current KC-46 Pegasus procurement contract. KC-46 Pegasus. AF.mil The KC-46 Pegasus, developed by Boeing, has served as the cornerstone of the Air Force’s tanker modernization efforts. Under the new plan, the Air Force will use the KC-46’s Capability Production Document as the foundational requirements basis for the Tanker Production Extension program. This approach is described in budget documents as the “most affordable” option, suggesting a preference for leveraging existing platforms and technologies rather than pursuing entirely new designs. The program is set to launch i...
Read more »