The US Navy has begun Phase 2 of its medium unmanned surface vessel (MUSV) program, seeking industry proposals for a platform capable of remaining at sea for 10 days.
Beyond endurance, the service is pursuing vessels capable of carrying at least two 20-foot (6-meter) shipping containers while remaining under 90 meters (295 feet) in length.
Competing designs will undergo at-sea demonstrations, where the Navy will evaluate sustained speed, maneuverability, fuel consumption, and other performance criteria.
Successful proposals will be added to the service’s maritime marketplace, an initiative designed to reduce procurement delays and streamline delivery orders for unmanned vessels.
“We invite interested parties with expertise in innovative solutions to complex problems, vessel construction, autonomy, perception systems, and general maritime experience to participate in this opportunity,” the official solicitation stated.
The notice will remain open through November 16, 2026, with the navy targeting deliveries in 2027.
Expanding the Unmanned Fleet
The US Navy’s maritime marketplace hosts a range of MUSVs and other classes of uncrewed vessels, with the initiative intended to “match the growing demand for unmanned systems across a range of missions.”
The marketplace also forms part of the service’s broader Golden Fleet initiative, a maritime modernization program launched in December 2025.
“It’s our new approach to accelerate this autonomous capability to the fleet as part of the Golden Fleet. It’s the first of what will be a recurring marketplace,” said Rebecca Gassler, former portfolio acquisition executive of robotic and autonomous systems for the US Navy, as quoted by Breaking Defense.
