US Navy awards $1.2B for 30 unmanned surface vessels

The US Navy has awarded production agreements for 30 Medium Unmanned Surface Vessels (MUSV) following successful Phase I at-sea testing. The contracts, valued at an estimated $1.2 billion total, distribute the production of 10 vessels each to three companies: Saronic Technologies, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), and Galliano Marine Services.

Saronic Technologies’ 180-foot Marauder vessel completed over 140 test scenarios during eight days of continuous operation, demonstrating capabilities in autonomous tracking, maneuvering, and passive-perception without active radar. HII will produce the Romulus unmanned surface vessel. The Navy expects the first deliveries to occur before the end of fiscal year 2027.

The acquisition utilizes the MUSV Marketplace, a streamlined Other Transaction Authority (OTA) approach designed to integrate commercially mature autonomous technology into the fleet more rapidly than traditional shipbuilding programs. Additionally, companies including Leidos, PAC MAR, and Sea Machines received $15 million awards for completing prototype projects, making them eligible for future follow-on orders.