The US Navy is advancing unmanned maritime capabilities with the introduction of the “Liberty Class,” a 190-foot steel autonomous ship developed by Boston-based Blue Water Autonomy. Designed for extended deployments lasting months without onboard personnel, the vessel can travel up to 10,000 nautical miles and transport 150 metric tons of mission payload. Its modular design enables multiple operational roles, including missile deployment, sensor integration, intelligence collection, and logistics resupply. The ship is also intended to escort crewed naval vessels, acting as a force multiplier while reducing risks to sailors. This platform reflects a broader Pentagon push toward distributed maritime operations using autonomous systems to enhance endurance and survivability.
