Blue Water Autonomy, a Massachusetts-based defense technology company, has signed a production agreement with Conrad Shipyard in Louisiana to construct its first fleet of unmanned surface vessels (USVs). The deal marks a major milestone for the startup, which aims to accelerate the adoption of autonomous ships for defense and commercial use.
Under the partnership, Conrad Shipyard’s Morgan City facilities will handle assembly using automated methods such as panel line production and robotic welding. These techniques will allow multiple vessels to be built at once, speeding up the process compared to conventional shipbuilding timelines. Conrad, established in 1947, has decades of experience delivering tugs, ferries, tankers, barges, and support vessels, as well as fulfilling US Navy contracts.
The agreement follows Blue Water’s successful $50-million funding round in 2024, which raised the company’s total investment to $61 million. The funding will support the construction of its first long-range USVs, expected to enter service in 2026. The firm has also recruited senior industry figures such as Tim Glinatsis, a 25-year veteran of NASSCO and Bath Iron Works, and Ryan Maatta, formerly of DARPA’s NOMARS program, to guide production and scaling.
Blue Water says its approach focuses on tapping underutilized US shipyards with modular, scalable designs that can adapt quickly to new missions. Unlike traditional warships, which can take years to build, its unmanned vessels are designed for faster construction, easier upgrades, and streamlined maintenance. The company also intends to expand its network of local shipyard partners, bridging commercial and defense expertise to deliver autonomous fleets more efficiently.
