In a significant advancement for naval operations, the U.S. Navy has announced plans to acquire 30 medium unmanned surface vessels (MUSVs) from three defense contractors following successful at-sea testing. The contracts, awarded to Galliano Marine Services, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), and Saronic Technologies, will see each company delivering ten MUSVs, with an expected delivery timeline by the end of fiscal year 2027. Each vessel is projected to cost approximately $40 million, marking a strategic move in enhancing the Navy’s unmanned capabilities.
The decision to procure these vessels comes as part of the Navy’s newly established MUSV marketplace, which aims to streamline the acquisition of production-ready platforms. This initiative was launched in March 2026, allowing for the rapid integration of unmanned systems into naval operations. Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao emphasized the urgency of this acquisition, stating, “Our warfighters don’t have time to wait on bureaucracy while our adversaries pace forward.” This reflects a broader push within the Navy to expedite the delivery of critical capabilities to its forces.
Testing and Operational Requirements
The at-sea testing phase included rigorous assessments of the MUSVs’ visibility, maritime awareness, and autonomous navigation capabilities, ensuring compliance with international maritime regulations. The successful completion of these tests has positioned the awarded companies for follow-on production agreements across the Department of Defense, with three additional firms—Leidos, PacMar Technologies, and Sea Machines—also qualifying for future contracts after meeting testing requirements.
As the Navy progresses into Phase II of the MUSV program, a solicitation was published on September 23, 2026, outlining the need for vessels that can operate unmanned for at least ten days and have a maximum length of 90 meters. The payload capacity has been adjusted to accommodate two standard 20-foot shipping containers, a reduction from the previous requirement of two 40-foot containers. This change aims to enhance operational flexibility and production feasibility.
Strategic Implications and Future Directions
Christopher Miller, the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for robotic and autonomous systems, highlighted the Navy’s intent to broaden the marketplace for MUSVs, allowing for increased competition and innovation. The Navy’s approach aims to attract new entrants into the unmanned systems sector, thereby fostering a competitive industrial base that can meet both military and potential civilian needs. Miller noted that lessons learned from Phase I indicated that overly stringent requirements could hinder production capabilities and affect vessel designs.
Furthermore, the Navy is collaborating with the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for autonomy to expand the maritime marketplace beyond MUSVs, incorporating a wider range of surface vessels and unmanned systems across various domains. This strategic expansion reflects a commitment to enhancing operational capabilities while ensuring that the Navy remains at the forefront of technological advancements in unmanned maritime operations.
The acquisition of these MUSVs not only signifies a step forward in naval technology but also underscores the Navy’s commitment to adapting to evolving operational demands in a rapidly changing security environment. As the program develops, the integration of these vessels into naval operations will likely play a crucial role in enhancing maritime security and operational effectiveness.
For further details on the Navy’s acquisition strategy and the MUSV marketplace, refer to the coverage by Breaking Defense.
