Florida-based boatbuilders Maritime Tactical Systems (MARTAC) and SŌLACE Boats have teamed up to boost annual production capacity for the Devil Ray catamaran-type unmanned surface vessel (USV) by 100 units.
The co-production agreement will help MARTAC meet growing demand for autonomous vessels from US and allied militaries.
SŌLACE will manufacture the vessels at its 200,000-square-foot (18,580-square-meter) facility in Edgewater, Florida, using specialized vacuum-infusion and catamaran-hull assembly lines.
“We’re proud to partner with SŌLACE, given their reputation, in-depth experience and prowess in producing high-strength, lightweight hulls that can traverse high sea-states,” MARTAC CEO Tony Smeraglinolo stated.
“Our partnership with SŌLACE demonstrates MARTAC’s ability to rapidly scale by harnessing the talent and capacity of world-class marine manufacturers in our region.”
The deal follows a similar partnership with Mystic Powerboats announced in June, further expanding MARTAC’s domestic USV manufacturing base.
By tapping existing local infrastructure, the company aims to cut production costs and shorten delivery times.
The Mystic partnership uses Mystic’s almost 100,000-square-foot (9,290-square-meter) factory in DeLand, Florida, along with its epoxy-resin infusion, carbon-fiber lamination, and foam-core construction capabilities.
The Devil Ray USV
MARTAC’s Devil Ray family is offered in T18, T24, and T38 variants, measuring between 19 and 40 feet (6 to 12 meters) long with beams of up to 11 feet (3 meters).
The largest variant carries payloads of up to 4,000 pounds (1,814 kilograms), while the series shares a 6G-rated hull architecture built for rugged maritime conditions.
The drone boats support satellite communications as well as 4G and 5G connectivity.
Operators can configure the vessels for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, surface strike, electronic warfare, and anti-submarine operations.
The platforms also feature autonomous launch and recovery capabilities for smaller unmanned systems.
Powered by inboard gasoline or diesel engines, the Devil Ray vessels can exceed 50 knots (58 miles/93 kilometers per hour).
