The US Navy is seeking industry partners to design a new fleet of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) capable of transporting containerized mission modules. The project aims to increase the Navy’s ability to rapidly deploy autonomous platforms across various operational scenarios.
Managed by the Program Executive Office Unmanned and Small Combatants, the initiative focuses on creating scalable, modern USVs that utilize ISO-standard container modules for multi-role adaptability. Contractors are expected to deliver cost-effective, field-proven vessel designs.
The Department of Defense has issued a formal request for white papers, specifying requirements for modularity, affordability, and ease of assembly at multiple shipyards. These vessels will be tailored for diverse missions, making logistics and payload flexibility a key design focus.
No contract award timeline has been set, but the Navy plans to use the OTA acquisition model to streamline the process. Prototype USVs are targeted for deployment within 18 months post-award, and the submission window remains open until August 2025.
