U.S. Defense Contractors Showcase New Naval Technology

National Harbor, Maryland — Recent advancements in naval warfare technology, particularly in the realm of drones and autonomous ships, are being highlighted by U.S. defense contractors.

During the Sea Air Space 2026 expo, several companies displayed unmanned surface vessels (USVs). They also indicated that these vessels could function without human oversight, which raises some ethical questions—especially concerning potential communication disruptions due to electronic warfare.

Interestingly, current U.S. law does not prohibit Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS).

A standout USV at the event was the Venom, produced by Scientific Systems. This unmanned vessel measures over 30 feet and is powered by a 300-horsepower diesel engine. Representatives indicated it can be deployed for various missions, including attack, defense, supply, and reconnaissance.

Andrew Loisel, a strategic advisor for Scientific Systems and a retired Major General, mentioned, “You could send out 1,000 of these and assign each one a square mile to patrol or something similar.” He elaborated that the design was initially intended as a one-way attack option, with the possibility of loading it with explosive payloads for impactful missions.

“Everyone is sabotaging everything.”

USVs present a cost-effective and lower-risk alternative compared to traditional naval operations and have become increasingly significant in conflicts like those in Ukraine and the Strait of Hormuz.

For instance, there was a report of an oil tanker, MKD VYOM, colliding with a USV in the Gulf of Oman, according to information from the British Armed Forces’ Royal Maritime Trade Operations Centre.

Reports from the British Ministry of Defence have noted, “Ukraine has launched a series of bold attacks, including several attempts with unmanned surface vessels against Russian ships.”

Historically, this isn’t the first use of suicide boats in warfare; during World War II, the Japanese Imperial Navy deployed Shinyo suicide motor boats targeting enemy vessels.

Loisel suggested that these ships could also serve defensive roles. The U.S. Navy could establish “geographical fences” and direct the vessels to attack any incursions into those zones. “If something comes in, hit it,” he stated.

It’s not merely the hardware that makes a difference; the real game-changer here is AI-powered software that enables a single operator to manage several units concurrently, according to Scientific Systems.

Operators must address the reality that communication lines, GPS, and radio frequencies are often compromised, as evidenced in more recent conflicts, like those involving the Iranian regime in the Strait of Hormuz.

“As seen in Ukraine and Iran, everyone is sabotaging everything,” Loisel stated. “Developing a product that falters without communication is like shooting behind the dock.”

The Ministry of War has acknowledged that the rapid development of unmanned systems is reshaping the nature of modern conflict and aims to formulate a sector-wide strategy to confront these unmanned threats. The U.S. Navy plans to deploy thousands of USVs in the Indo-Pacific region, according to USNI reports.

For military forces deploying USVs or other autonomous weapon systems, there’s a pressing need to account for civilian ships and other non-combat vessels that might enter the operational zones where these unmanned surface vessels are activated.

While the Venom is ready for purchase and has cleared inspections, it hasn’t yet been acquired by the U.S. Navy.

Moreover, not all systems presented at the expo are designed for offensive operations. Skyways, a drone manufacturer, showcased a vertical takeoff and landing V3 drone.

Jessica Hogan, Skyways’ chief marketing officer, noted, “There are many more manufacturers planning to weaponize drones. Our goal is to enhance U.S. military logistics.” Hogan explained that the drone can travel up to 1,200 miles and carry 100 pounds of cargo, allowing for varied modular payload configurations.

Since 2019, Skyways has collaborated with the Department of the Army, providing ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship cargo deliveries.

Venom wasn’t the only USV on display at Sea Air Space 2026. BlackSea Technologies featured its Chaser USV, which is notably smaller at over 16 feet long and showcased mock weapons including a 30-millimeter cannon and a Hellfire missile launcher.

Brian Fitzpatrick, president of maritime systems at BlackSea Technologies, mentioned that 300 units of the Chaser’s predecessor have already been supplied to the U.S. Navy.

He further explained that if the Chaser loses communication with operators, it can still autonomously execute its mission, which might involve offensive actions. Fitzpatrick noted that it has been tested with “approximately 15 different payloads.”

“So, we’re not building killer robots,” Fitzpatrick reassured, “right?”