Latvian defense company NEWT21 completed an EU-backed project to transition its FOG and RAY unmanned surface vessels (USVs) from prototype status to full serial production.
Co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the initiative finalized the drone boats’ technical documentation and system integration to support defense and civilian operations.
Both systems are now certified at technology readiness level 8, confirming they are fully primed for standardized manufacturing and deployment.
FOG and RAY’s hulls are built with modular, lightweight carbon-fiber and aramid-fiber materials, and could each be fielded in autonomous swarms of up to 32 vessels through a single ground control station.
The milestone follows the systems’ utilization with the Ukrainian Armed Forces for Black Sea patrol missions amid the Russian invasion.
The FOG System
The FOG USV is a high-speed tactical platform built for covert intelligence, interception, and one-way aerial attack support.
It is equipped with a 90-horsepower waterjet propulsion, enabling speeds of up to 46 knots (85 kilometers/53 miles per hour) and a range of 486 nautical miles (900 kilometers/559 miles).
The craft is offered in 3.6, 4.5, and 5.4-meter (12, 15, and 18-foot) configurations and can carry up to 200 kilograms (441 pounds) of cargo.
The RAY System
Meanwhile, the 5.4-meter (18-foot) RAY USV supports remote weapon mounting, mine countermeasures, logistics, medical evacuation, and drone landing functions in addition to air defense.
It has a payload capacity of 500 kilograms (1,102 pounds) and uses twin engines with a combined output of 180 horsepower.
The boat sails at 42 knots (78 kilometers/48 miles per hour) and covers up to 378 nautical miles (700 kilometers/435 miles) of range.
