US buys $1.2 billion worth of maritime drones: Photos and specifications

Under the agreement, 10 vessels will be purchased from each of three manufacturers: Galliano Marine Services (Edison Chouest), Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), and Saronic Technologies.

To award the contracts, the US Navy used a special Other Transaction Authority (OTA) mechanism. This procedure makes it possible to significantly reduce bureaucratic steps and accelerate the development, production, and testing of new systems.

Chris Miller, acting head of the US Navy's robotics and autonomous systems division, said the average cost of one unmanned vessel would be about $40 million. The total value of the order is estimated at $1.2 billion.

Production is expected to begin without delay at shipyards in Louisiana. The Navy is expected to receive the first units as early as 2027. During the first phase of MUSV program testing, the autonomous vessels demonstrated the ability to operate continuously for more than 26 hours and cover a distance of more than 360 nautical miles.

Photo: The US is buying maritime drones for $1.2 billion (saronic.com)

One of the key design requirements is the ability to use standard shipping containers. This should allow the payload to be quickly replaced depending on the mission, from reconnaissance sensors to repair equipment or weapons.

The vessels must remain operational in sea conditions of up to 4 on the STANAG 4194 scale and withstand storm conditions of up to 6.

As RBC-Ukraine previously reported, German company Quantum Systems, whose drones have been used in Ukraine for several years, is moving into the maritime domain.

The company has unveiled two new unmanned systems, Seavex and Subvex, designed for long-term surveillance, critical infrastructure protection, and countering enemy drones.