Without crew on the high seas: How the U.S. Navy is Testing the Future of Naval Warfare

 

Robotic warships are no longer from the realm of fantasy — they are already sailing the oceans. Now the main task of the US Navy is not whether they can do it, but how exactly to use these revolutionary machines. From the prototypes of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to the giant, fully unmanned USX-1 Defiant, the navy is actively testing the limits of autonomy, trying to understand how far it can go without a single sailor on board.

The future of the Navy on the high seas seems to be deserted. Ships like the unmanned test platforms USS Mariner and USS Ranger, as well as the recently launched USX-1 Defiant, offer tremendous opportunities. They can carry sensors, weapons, or perform reconnaissance, providing a powerful presence on the water without putting people's lives at risk and without requiring complex infrastructure for crew life support.

The history of these projects began back in 2010 with an ambitious DARPA program called ACTUV (Autonomous Vessel for Continuous Tracking of Submarines). The idea was audacious: to create a ship capable of indefinitely chasing enemy diesel-electric submarines around the world without needing a crew change or refueling. In 2016, the 40-meter (132 ft) Sea Hunter trimaran was born from this program. This prototype has been successfully tested, proving that a fully autonomous vessel can navigate the ocean safely and efficiently, observing the rules of navigation and avoiding collisions.

Now the US Navy is taking this concept to a new level. The USX-1 Defiant, launched in March 2025, is no longer a prototype, but a 54—meter (180 ft) ship with a displacement of 240 tons, designed specifically to carry out complex, fully autonomous combat missions. It symbolizes the transition from experimentation to the creation of real combat platforms. The main advantages of such ships are a sharp reduction in operating costs, the possibility of prolonged stay at sea and the ability to operate in high—risk areas.

Now the navy is facing a new challenge: how to integrate these "smart ships" into existing tactics? How can we provide them with reliable communication and protection from cyber attacks? And how can we build the trust of commanders in the decisions made by artificial intelligence? The answers to these questions will determine how soon autonomous ships will move from the category of experiments to the combat units of the fleet of the future.

The "Needle Fish" in the Persian Gulf: Kuwait receives advanced unmanned patrol boats

Needlefish

The American company Ocean Infinity, known for its underwater research, decided to expand its horizons and created a high-speed unmanned patrol vessel called Needlefish. This is not just a boat, but a real technical masterpiece for marine surveillance. The vessel is 14 meters long, 6 meters wide, and it is equipped with two jet engines, which allows it to reach speeds of more than 40 knots (over 70 km/h), and some sources indicate even more than 40 miles per hour. This speed is achieved thanks to the catamaran's unique "cutting waves" design.

Needlefish is designed specifically for Kuwait's difficult conditions and is capable of patrolling vast territories — up to 11,000 km2. It is equipped with a complex of advanced surveillance sensors, including cameras, radars and RF sensors, which allows monitoring both above and below water, transmitting data in real time to command centers. The boat is controlled remotely.

A key feature is its integration into the advanced SRT C5iSR marine surveillance system from SRT Marine Systems. This integrated system, controlled by artificial intelligence, creates a national surveillance network for Kuwait. The first two drones have already been handed over to the Kuwait Coast Guard, and one of them recently demonstrated its capabilities during exercises for senior officials.

It is important to note that in the current configuration, Needlefish has no weapons and is intended exclusively for reconnaissance, surveillance, mapping and geodetic work. Meanwhile, in March 2025, the Pentagon unveiled its prototype of the USX-1 Defiant unmanned surface vessel, a much larger 54—meter (180 ft), 240-ton ship designed for fully autonomous long-duration missions.

DARPA unveils giant unmanned vessel USX-1 Defiant to Revolutionize Marine Surveillance

USX-1 Defiant

DARPA has announced the development of the colossal 580,000-pound unmanned surface vessel USX-1 Defiant, which promises to fundamentally change the approach to global naval surveillance and intelligence. This innovative spy ship is preparing for large-scale tests that will demonstrate its autonomous capabilities and potential for long-term missions.

The USX-1 Defiant is an unmanned surface vessel (USV) capable of operating without the constant presence of a crew, which significantly expands the possibilities of conducting reconnaissance and surveillance on the high seas. Its huge size and advanced technology ensure high stability in difficult marine conditions, as well as the ability to equip modern sensor and communication systems.

The DARPA project aims to create a platform capable of continuous monitoring and data collection in strategically important regions, which will improve the efficiency of naval operations and strengthen control over maritime communications. The USX-1 Defiant can become a key element of future naval strategies, providing an advantage in information and intelligence warfare.

Mysterious DARPA Drone Ship: USX-1 Defiant prepares for sea trials

USX-1 Defiant

An unusual naval vessel was recently spotted in Washington State, which turned out to be the new unmanned ship USX-1 Defiant, a project of the US Defense Agency (DARPA). This innovative vehicle represents a step forward in the development of autonomous technologies for maritime operations and demonstrates the Pentagon's commitment to creating effective solutions without human involvement on board.

Technical Specifications of the USX-1 Defiant

The USX-1 Defiant has impressive features that make it one of the most advanced unmanned ships in the world. Its length is 180 feet (about 55 meters), and its displacement reaches 240 tons. This allows him to perform long-term tasks at a considerable distance from the shore. In the future, it is planned to equip the ship with missile systems, which will significantly expand its combat capabilities.

One of the key features of Defiant is its ability to operate autonomously for a long time. The drone can operate without direct control from land or other vessels, using modern artificial intelligence and navigation systems. This approach minimizes the need for human involvement and reduces risks for the crew.

Development Goals

The main purpose of the USX-1 Defiant is to provide the United States with additional capabilities for maritime reconnaissance, surveillance and patrolling. Autonomous ships can be used to perform a wide range of tasks, including:

- Monitoring of marine communications;

- Search for underwater objects;

- Tracking potential threats;

- Support of large flotilla operations.

In addition, the use of unmanned vessels saves resources and time, as they require less maintenance and can stay on a mission much longer than conventional ships.

Future prospects

According to DARPA representatives, the USX-1 Defiant is now preparing for a series of extensive tests that will be conducted both in dock and in open waters. These tests will help to evaluate the reliability and efficiency of the ship in various conditions. A multi-month naval demonstration is planned, which will begin in the spring of 2025. It will become an important stage in preparing the drone for full implementation in naval operations.

In the future, it is planned to develop Defiant modifications with various types of weapons, including rocket launchers. This will make the ship a universal means of protecting maritime borders and performing complex combat missions.

Importance to the U.S. Navy

The development of unmanned technologies plays a key role in the modern strategy of the US Navy. The use of vessels such as the USX-1 Defiant will improve the efficiency of maritime operations, reduce costs and minimize risks to human life. Drones can become an important component of future flotillas, complementing traditional ships and aircraft.

Replacing or supplementing humans with autonomous systems is a trend that is already changing the face of modern armed forces. The USX-1 Defiant is becoming a prime example of how future technologies are becoming a reality today.

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Thus, the appearance of the USX-1 Defiant in Washington State is just the beginning of a long journey that can completely transform US naval tactics. We can only wait for the results of the upcoming tests and watch how this innovative drone will change the rules of the game in the field of naval affairs.