Leidos Australia and Kongsberg Defence Australia have signed a new memorandum of understanding to assess the integration of Kongsberg’s advanced Naval Strike Missile (NSM) with Leidos’ next-generation uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), the Sea Archer and the larger Longbow platform. The collaboration will explore how pairing long-range strike missiles with autonomous maritime systems could transform future naval operations.
The planned integration focuses on leveraging the NSM’s sea-skimming, precision-guided design, which features autonomous target recognition and high-agility terminal maneuvers capable of defeating modern air defense systems. With an operational range exceeding 300 kilometers, the missile could significantly expand the strike envelope of unmanned maritime assets, improving responsiveness and survivability in contested waters.
Developed in Australia, the Sea Archer USV is engineered for high-speed, long-range missions and built around a modular architecture that supports rapid payload changes. It can be configured for strike operations, electronic warfare, logistics support, and ISR missions. Powered by Leidos’ advanced autonomy suite and AI-enabled battle management system, the vessel reaches speeds of 40 knots, offers a range of 1,500 nautical miles, and carries payloads of more than 900 kilograms.
Its larger counterpart, Longbow, provides even greater endurance and payload flexibility. Equipped with four 300-horsepower OXE diesel engines, Longbow supports payloads up to 3,000 kilograms and delivers an operational range exceeding 2,750 nautical miles. Integrating the NSM into these platforms could offer a major leap in unmanned maritime strike capability for Australia and allied forces.
