The United States Navy is preparing to deploy two medium-sized drone boats, marking a significant step in its unmanned technology initiative. According to Capt. Garrett Miller, commodore of Surface Development Group One, these vessels—the Sea Hunter and Seahawk—will transition from experimental prototypes to operational assets within the fleet this year. Miller made the announcement during the Surface Navy Association conference held in Washington on Wednesday.
Both vessels, classified as medium displacement uncrewed surface vessels (MDUSVs), will enhance the Navy’s capabilities across various maritime missions, including counter-mine operations, kinetic strikes, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance tasks. Miller emphasized that these drones will be “under fleet control” and assigned to surface forces, enabling them to undertake significant operational roles.
Future Integration and Expansion
One of the key highlights of Miller’s presentation was the plan to integrate one of the drones with a carrier strike group in 2026. While he did not specify which drone or carrier group would be involved, sources suggest that the Seahawk is the likely candidate. Additionally, the Navy is set to establish three early command USV divisions next week, designed to evolve alongside its unmanned technology initiatives.
By 2027, the Navy aims to have a total of 11 MDUSVs in its inventory, with projections indicating that this number could exceed 30 by 2030. Both the Sea Hunter and Seahawk were manufactured by Leidos and have served as pathfinder prototypes during various Navy exercises. The Sea Hunter, initially developed under a DARPA program, has been used primarily for unmanned sub tracking and sensing.
Looking Ahead: Unmanned Systems in the Navy
As the Navy continues to integrate unmanned systems, officials acknowledge the need for further development of specific operational concepts. Capt. Miller noted that while the uncrewed vessels will play a substantial role in the Navy’s overall displacement, they are intended to complement manned ships rather than replace them.
In a separate discussion panel on Thursday, Rear Adm. Christopher Alexander highlighted the expectation of exponential growth in unmanned systems over the coming decades. He stated, “Looking at some projections moving out over the future, by 2045 we expect about 45 percent of the surface force to be unmanned systems.” Alexander, serving as special assistant to the commander for naval surface forces at the US Pacific Fleet, reinforced the notion that the integration of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems is not merely a future aspiration, but a current reality.
The Navy’s proactive stance on unmanned technology underscores its commitment to enhancing maritime operations while adapting to an evolving defense landscape. As these drone boats prepare for deployment, the implications for naval strategy and operational readiness are significant, paving the way for a future dominated by advanced unmanned capabilities.
