Saronic has secured a $392 million production contract from the US Navy to manufacture its Corsair autonomous surface vessel as part of the service’s push to rapidly field unmanned maritime systems. Around $200 million of the contract funding will be provided at the outset, enabling accelerated production with delivery targeted in under 12 months.
The contract reflects a shift within the Pentagon toward faster acquisition timelines, particularly for autonomous and attritable platforms. Navy leaders say systems like Corsair will help expand fleet capacity, enhance operational reach, and reduce the exposure of sailors during high-risk missions.
The Corsair ASV was initially designed to support the Pentagon’s Replicator program, which seeks to deploy large numbers of expendable unmanned platforms to complicate adversary planning, particularly in the context of potential conflict in the Indo-Pacific region. The vessel is optimized for rapid production and flexible mission integration.
At 24 feet long, Corsair is smaller than Saronic’s Marauder, Cipher, and Mirage platforms but offers substantial endurance and performance. Capable of speeds above 35 knots and a range of up to 1,000 nautical miles, the vessel can carry payloads weighing up to 1,000 pounds and is designed to support missions including surveillance, reconnaissance, and both kinetic and non-kinetic operations.
