Lightfish unmanned surface vessel sets fastest transatlantic crossing time
Lightfish has achieved the fastest recorded unmanned surface vessel transatlantic crossing by breaking its own record by more than twelve days compared to its previous unmanned vessel record, according to Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic. Launched from Sullivans Island, South Carolina late June and arriving near Troia in Portugal approximately two months later - beating previous unmanned surface vessel records.
Lightfish was constructed by Seasats for use by the United States Navy and relies primarily on solar generation and onboard energy storage with backup generator extending emergency range by more than 500 nautical miles[4. Throughout its 4,000 mile voyage, Lightfish operated without onboard crew, using sensors and autonomy software to detect obstacles while operators at shore could monitor its status or take remote control as necessary.
Lightfish quickly transitioned upon arrival in Portugal into an expansive NATO exercise on autonomous maritime systems, where it participated alongside platforms from over thirty allied and partner nations. U.S. Sixth Fleet Commander Task Force 66--an all domain formation often known as a Black Sea Battle Lab for unmanned systems--provided support to this mission, underscoring the increasing role of uncrewed vessels for long endurance surveillance as well as experimentation for naval forces.
Seasats secures long term U.S. Navy contract for uncrewed Lightfish vessels
Seasats was recently honored by being awarded an indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract from the U.S. Navy with an estimated ceiling value of US$89 Million to provide its Lightfish uncrewed surface vessels to U.S. Marine Corps[2. This award, known as Small Business Innovation Research Phase 3 contract vehicle, could extend until 2032 should all options be exercised, signalling strong demand for small autonomous platforms within naval forces.
Seasats will deliver uncrewed vessels designed to conduct persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in open ocean, coastal littorals and inland waterways. Seasats recently disclosed its testing of one platform called Quickfish during a multiday U.S. Navy exercise off California's coast; Quickfish demonstrated speeds above 35 knots, modular payload integration capabilities with multiweek endurance capability as well as concealed aerial vehicle launch bay capabilities; this indicates an increasing reliance on multi mission small platforms.
Taken together, Lightfish's transatlantic record and its production contract illustrate how prototypes are rapidly maturing into programs of record for U.S. Navy use. Both milestones demonstrate its intent to deploy families of autonomous surface vessels ranging from solar powered long endurance crafts to multirole designs capable of hosting airborne payloads.
Saronic commits US $300 Million for expansion of Louisiana Unmanned Vessel Yard
Industrial capacity for autonomous surface vessels is rapidly increasing. U.S. uncrewed surface vessel producer Saronic recently announced an investment of $300 Million US Dollars to expand their shipyard facilities in Louisiana to support higher volume production of unmanned platforms. According to public statements released by Saronic, construction began on the project on November 20, 25 and this expansion will add over 300,000 square feet dedicated to manufacturing and integration.
Saronic Marine Systems of Louisiana specialize in modular, software centric uncrewed surface vessels for both defense and commercial customers. The new infrastructure in Louisiana aims to speed series production and reduce lead times as U.S. and allied navies move from small batch experiments towards larger operational fleets . Furthermore, this project should create maritime industrial jobs along the Gulf Coast region and further cement its role as a hub for conventional and autonomous shipbuilding activity.
Saronics' planned facility and recent contract awards to other U.S. autonomous vessel suppliers demonstrate the shift away from individual demonstrator craft towards creating an industrial base for uncrewed surface systems. At the same time, navy and coast guard forces worldwide are developing concepts of operations, doctrines and regulatory frameworks for integrating such craft into mixed crewed/uncrewed fleets.
ZeroUSV extends UK fleet with third Oceanus12 uncrewed surface vessel
ZeroUSV of the UK recently completed construction of their third Oceanus12 uncrewed surface vessel, expanding their long endurance platforms for survey and monitoring missions. Designed as 12m craft with low emissions and fuel efficiency for extended deployments. Now with three vessels operationally supporting offshore energy contracts, environmental monitoring projects, maritime security and other maritime related contracts.
ZeroUSV positions Oceanus12 as a versatile multi role platform capable of supporting different sensor payloads for hydrographic surveys, metocean data collection, and maritime domain awareness tasks. The addition of the third vessel highlights rising commercial interest for autonomous solutions that reduce costs and emissions compared to crewed survey ships while remaining continuously present offshore environments.
The growth of Seaway's fleet also indicates how nonmilitary markets for autonomous surface vessels are growing alongside defense demand. Energy companies, port authorities, and research institutions have increasingly procured uncrewed platforms as they digitize marine operations while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions from survey and inspection campaigns.
Magnet Defense invests 50 Million USD into AI driven M48 fleet unmanned surface vessel fleet.
Magnet Defense's $50 Million U.S. investment in its M48 Fleet Unmanned Surface Vessel development further underlines investor faith in the sector, with 390 days of sea trials already completed to demonstrate endurance and reliability for multi mission naval operations.
Magnet Defense's M48 autonomous vessel is described as an ideal fleet operation solution, using AI for navigation, threat detection, mission execution and mission execution. Through substantial investment in development and extensive at sea testing, Magnet Defense hopes to position their M48 as an attractive choice for navies seeking scalable autonomous capabilities that can be deployed alongside crewed warships in contested waters.
This program illustrates how private developers are investing substantial capital to distinguish their autonomous platforms through software, data and safety cases. As regulators and naval customers refine requirements for reliability and rules of engagement, long duration sea trials like those conducted with M48 will become essential in showing that autonomous surface vessels can operate predictably and safely within busy maritime domains.