Patrol and rescue vessels A HELPING HAND FROM DRONE TECH


The US Navy plans to utilise long-range USVs to support its conventionally crewed David Foxwell


T


he US Navy has issued a solicitation for a new class of long-range uncrewed surface vessels


(USVs) that could help it operate in ‘high-threat’ areas far from shore, supporting manned vessels 


The new class of USV – the Modular Attack Surface Craft (MASC) – would be able to operate alongside manned vessels, increasing the US Navy’s ability to conduct anti-surface vessel and strike warfare while providing conventional vessels and their crews with intelligence that will 


A solicitation issued by the US Navy on 28 July 2025 invited industry partners to submit solutions for the MASC programme, which will utilise an innovative acquisition approach known as ‘Other Transaction Agreements’ (OTAs), enabling it to streamline acquisition of the new class of USVs 


The solicitation said utilising existing commercial designs and production capabilities “will enable the US Navy to rapidly deploy a formidable  approach “will accelerate the design, development and demonstration of new USVs, for which contracts will be awarded for prototype projects –


which may include not only commercially available technology – alongside concept demonstrations 


Of high importance is the readiness and ability to   should include information on current and projected production facilities,” the solicitation   the MASC programme addressing the requirement 


Three solutions The purpose of the USVs is to provide autonomous carrying capacity for a range of  


 embarked payload platform is being sought that   equivalent unit (FEU) containerised payloads that   minimum range of 2,500nm while maintaining at 


The US Navy wants to use uncrewed vessels with containers to beef up its 


32


THE NAVAL ARCHITECT


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