Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel

The US Navy's first production order, made public on 29 September 2026, gave Galliano Marine Services, HII and Saronic Technologies ten vessels apiece, 30 in all, under other transaction agreements. The Navy gave an average procurement cost of $40m a vessel, about $1.2bn for all 30, but published no per-yard value. First deliveries are due before the end of fiscal 2027. Christopher Miller, the Navy's acting portfolio manager for robotic and autonomous systems, said the winning bids were judged on how the autonomy performed, on design, on the build schedule and on price.

The programme dates to July 2020, when the Navy gave L3 Technologies a $35m contract for one prototype, with options for eight more, for surveillance and electronic warfare. In May 2026 the Navy picked seven companies for Phase One at-SEA demonstrations, including a 26-hour, 360-nautical-mile autonomous run. Phase One hulls had to carry at least two 40ft containers. Phase Two opened on 23 September 2026 for vessels up to 90m with ten days' endurance.

Birdon began building a vessel at C&C Marine five days before the awards, with no buyer named. Approved designs go onto a drones.mil marketplace for follow-on orders from 16 November 2026.