The US Navy is expected to procure more than 30 medium unmanned surface vessels (MUSVs) after completing Phase 1 of live sea trials with American warfighters.
Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements were awarded to Galliano Marine Services, HII, and Saronic Technologies, with each company set to provide 10 MUSVs at an average cost of $40 million per vessel.
Initial deliveries to the navy are expected by the end of fiscal year 2027.
The live sea trials evaluated the vessels’ ability to detect and respond to their maritime environment, navigate while avoiding collisions, and conduct long-duration missions.
The navy has since opened a new call for companies to submit MUSVs for testing and integration. Phase 2 will seek to bring additional systems and manufacturers into the service’s online marketplace.
“Our warfighters don’t have time to wait on bureaucracy while our adversaries pace forward,” said Hung Cao, acting secretary of the US Navy.
“Our message to the defense industrial base is simple: build fast, deliver on time, and match the urgency of the threat.”
Expanding the MUSV Program
Separately, the navy is awarding $15 million each to Leidos, PAC MAR, and Sea Machines after the companies completed their own unmanned surface vessel prototypes.
The three companies will also join the service’s online marketplace, giving their systems a path toward military buyers across the US Department of Defense.
“MUSVs give us a platform for rapidly integrating new sensors, weapons, and other mission payloads as technology and operational requirements change,” the US Navy’s Chief of Naval Operations said.
“This is about moving beyond experimentation and putting reliable, combat-relevant capability into the hands of our Sailors at the speed the fleet requires.”
