Streamlining the Future of Maritime Autonomy
The U.S. Navy is advancing its strategy to unify its two major unmanned surface vessel (USV) programs, aiming to develop a new autonomous ship by 2027. This move signals a significant shift toward integrated, cost-effective unmanned maritime capabilities.
Unified Program to Drive Development by 2027
According to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report published Wednesday, officials announced in April 2025 that the Large Unmanned Surface Vessel (LUSV) program will merge with the Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) initiative into a single, streamlined effort. The unified program is slated to initiate development under the major capability acquisition pathway by fiscal year 2027, a step toward standardizing designs and reducing procurement complexities.
Leadership’s Support for Program Consolidation
While the Navy has yet to formally comment on the decision, industry sources suggest strong leadership backing. In January, a high-ranking Navy admiral overseeing both programs expressed a clear preference for merging them. Rear Adm. William Daly, the Navy’s surface warfare requirements director, emphasized the need for a single, affordable, and versatile vessel capable of mass production. “Rather than multiple large and medium designs, we need one platform that can support different payloads—either the magazine payload envisioned for the Large USV or ISR-focused payloads for the Medium USV,” Daly stated during the Surface Navy Association’s annual symposium.
Industry Engagement and Program Challenges
Recently, the Navy announced an industry day for what it calls the “Future Unmanned Surface Vessel,” inviting vendors to participate in shaping the next-generation unmanned ships. Meanwhile, the GAO report highlights the ongoing development hurdles faced by the LUSV program, which awarded conceptual designs to various industry competitors in September 2020. Despite these engagements, substantial progress in terms of contract awards and vendor down-selection remains limited.
Budget and Cost Uncertainties
Since its inception in April 2019, the LUSV program has reportedly spent approximately $2 billion on procurement and $1.2 billion on development activities. The GAO notes that the program is currently recalibrating its cost estimates, involving external stakeholders to refine predictions. The Navy’s traditional approach, which bases estimates on vessel weight, faces scrutiny given the unique metallic configurations of automated systems, which differ significantly from manual counterparts.
Operational Timeline and Future Trials
The GAO report also reveals that the Navy has withheld projected schedule dates for the initial operational capability and full-rate production of the new USV, citing strategic and developmental considerations. Separately, congressional testimony from Acting Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby indicates that the Navy will take ownership of the Defiant (USX-1), an MUSV developed through DARPA and SERCO’s No Manning Required Ship program, following ongoing sea trials. Unlike earlier vessels designed to operate autonomously with onboard crew amenities, Defiant is built entirely with automation, marking a leap toward fully unmanned maritime operations.
This comprehensive restructuring and recent technological initiatives underscore the Navy’s commitment to maintaining maritime dominance through autonomous innovation—culminating in a new era of unmanned surface vessels.
