Naval Strike Missile to Power Leidos Sea Archer and Longbow Unmanned Surface Vessels in Australia
Leidos Australia and Kongsberg Defence Australia have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the integration of Kongsberg’s advanced Naval Strike Missile (NSM) with Leidos’ next-generation unmanned surface vessels (USVs), the Sea Archer and its larger variant, Longbow. This landmark agreement marks a significant step in strengthening Australia’s maritime strike capabilities and advancing the role of autonomous naval platforms in modern warfare.
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| Photo: Leidos |
Strategic Objectives of the Partnership
The collaboration between Leidos and Kongsberg aims to deliver a maritime strike capability that is longer-ranged, highly responsive, and adaptable to evolving operational environments. By leveraging Leidos’ expertise in missile launch systems from unmanned platforms, the partnership seeks to provide the Royal Australian Navy and allied forces with a solution that is operationally ready and strategically aligned with Australia’s defense industry independence.
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| Photo: Leidos |
The agreement underscores a broader vision: to integrate cutting-edge missile technology with autonomous naval systems, thereby enhancing deterrence and combat effectiveness in contested maritime regions. This initiative also supports Australia’s defense industry by ensuring that critical capabilities are developed, tested, and sustained locally.
Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Capabilities
At the core of this partnership lies the Naval Strike Missile, a precision-guided, long-range cruise missile designed by Kongsberg. With a range exceeding 300 kilometers, the NSM provides commanders with the ability to strike high-value maritime and land targets from a safe distance.
Key features of the NSM include its sea-skimming flight profile, which allows the missile to fly at extremely low altitudes above the ocean surface, reducing detection and interception by enemy radar systems. Additionally, the missile is equipped with autonomous target recognition, enabling it to identify and engage targets without requiring continuous operator input. Its advanced terminal maneuvering capabilities allow the NSM to evade modern air defense systems, making it one of the most survivable and effective maritime strike weapons available today.
The integration of NSM with unmanned vessels represents a leap forward in distributed lethality, allowing smaller, autonomous platforms to deliver powerful strikes while minimizing risk to human crews.
Sea Archer Unmanned Surface Vessel
The Sea Archer USV is currently under construction in Australia and represents a new generation of high-speed, long-range unmanned naval platforms. Capable of reaching speeds up to 40 knots and operating across distances of 1,500 nautical miles, Sea Archer is designed to support a wide range of missions.
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| Sea Archer. Photo: Leidos |
Its modular payload system enables the vessel to carry equipment for strike operations, electronic warfare, logistics support, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. With a maximum payload capacity of 900 kilograms, Sea Archer offers flexibility for multi-role operations.
The vessel is powered by advanced autonomy software and an AI-driven battle management system, ensuring that it can operate independently or as part of a larger naval task force. This makes Sea Archer a versatile platform for future maritime operations, capable of adapting to different mission requirements with minimal human intervention.
Longbow Variant: Expanding Payload and Range
Complementing the Sea Archer is the larger Longbow variant, which significantly expands payload capacity and operational endurance. Longbow can carry up to 3,000 kilograms of payload, making it suitable for heavier strike packages and extended missions.
Powered by four OXE 300 HP diesel engines, Longbow boasts a range of more than 2,750 nautical miles, enabling it to operate across vast maritime theaters. This extended reach allows the vessel to project power far beyond Australia’s immediate region, supporting both national defense and coalition operations.
The Longbow’s larger size and payload capacity make it an ideal candidate for integrating the NSM, offering a platform that can deliver sustained and powerful maritime strike capabilities.
Development Timeline and Testing
The integration project is currently at the proof-of-concept stage. Leidos and Kongsberg plan to conduct trials of the NSM-equipped USVs in both the United States and Australia by 2026. These trials will validate the operational effectiveness of combining advanced missile systems with autonomous naval platforms, paving the way for future deployment.
The testing phase will be critical in demonstrating the feasibility of unmanned vessels conducting precision strike missions, a capability that could redefine naval warfare by reducing reliance on traditional manned warships.
Official Statement from Leidos Australia
Paul Chase, Chief Executive Officer of Leidos Australia, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership. He stated that the combination of the Naval Strike Missile with the Longbow Sea Archer will deliver a powerful, flexible, and locally supported maritime strike capability tailored to Australia’s future operational needs.
Chase highlighted that the collaboration not only strengthens Australia’s defense posture but also supports the growth of the domestic defense industry. By building and testing these systems in Australia, the partnership ensures that sovereign capabilities are developed and sustained, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.