Defense One

Crowded Field of Robot-Boat Makers Vies for Navy's Attention

Blue Water Autonomy plans to move its 190‑foot Liberty class autonomous patrol ship from prototype to production this year, joining a rapidly expanding market of unmanned surface vessel (USV) suppliers courting the U.S. Navy. The Navy is still defining how many medium and large USVs it will procure, while experiments across multiple commands test operational concepts and sustainment models. Analysts warn that rapid acquisition is needed to counter China, but the service cautions against over‑buying before training, logistics, and command structures are in place. Funding of $2.1 billion and upcoming Modular Attack Surface Craft (MASC) contracts signal a near‑term surge in medium‑size USV orders.