The U.S. Navy is moving away from the optionally manned vessel concept as it refines its vision for unmanned platforms that will operate alongside traditional surface ships, USNI News reported Friday. Officials said the service now prefers designs that keep sailors entirely off board.
Speaking at an event at the U.S. Naval Institute, Capt. Matt Lewis, program manager for unmanned maritime systems, said the change stems from the complexity and cost that come with designing ships to accommodate crews. He noted that the Navy’s recent presolicitation for a Modular Attack Surface Craft, or MASC, encourages proposals that remove the need for manned operations.
“The solicitation that went out for industry… it was open, and we are eager to get proposals as we review them, to look at the proposals that don’t have people on board,” Lewis shared.
Lewis is a speaker at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Navy Summit, where naval and maritime leaders will gather to address the most critical challenges and opportunities facing the U.S. Navy. Register now to learn about the latest advancements in technology, policy and strategy designed to ensure a secure future and a ready naval force.
Capt. Garrett Miller, who leads the San Diego-based Surface Development Group One and oversees the Navy’s experimental unmanned fleet, was more direct about the shift. “We definitely want unmanned. Period,” Miller said.
According to the presolicitation notice, the Navy is seeking a vessel that would carry up to two 40-foot shipping containers and cruise at a sailing speed of 25 knots for up to 2,500 nautical miles in sea state four.
Alongside new hardware developments, the Navy is building a career path for unmanned surface warfare officers and training enlisted robotics specialists at Carnegie Mellon University. Rear Adm. Derek Trinque, director of surface warfare, said “the idea is they’re going to be able to operate and maintain robotic and autonomous systems for the fleet.”
