Pentagon seeks unmanned surface vessels to launch attack drones within 120 days

Published Jul 29, 07:22 PM UTC

The Pentagon, through the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), has issued a solicitation for unmanned surface vessels (USVs) capable of launching small attack drones, aiming to counter cheap asymmetric maritime threats like smuggling boats and semi-submersibles. The SWAP-USV project seeks mature, market-ready systems integrated with at least two aerial drones for kinetic strikes, ISR, and electronic warfare. A year-long prize challenge with $100 million in prize money and a $200 million procurement budget backs the effort. The first sprint requires in-water testing within 29 days of selection, with a goal of field deployment within 120 days. The system must be containerized and transportable by C-17 or C-130 aircraft.