The US Navy has opened a call for proposals from defense contractors to develop a new class of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) designed to carry containerized payloads. The initiative is part of the service’s broader push to enhance operational agility using autonomous technologies.
Spearheaded by the Program Executive Office Unmanned and Small Combatants, the project aims to quickly field scalable and cost-effective USV platforms. These vessels are expected to support various mission profiles using standard ISO container modules for flexibility in logistics and deployment.
According to a Department of Defense request for white papers, the Navy is seeking proven, low-cost hull designs that can be assembled and maintained at multiple shipyards. The vessels must support modular payloads and enable multi-mission capability.
Although a specific contract date has not been confirmed, the program will operate under the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) framework to accelerate development. The Pentagon intends to deploy prototype USVs within 18 months of contract signing, with proposals due by August 2025.
