US Navy getting Defiant: Unmanned ship highlights innovation

US Navy getting Defiant: Unmanned ship highlights innovation

The United States is doubling down on unmanned maritime innovation in its navy with the christening of the USX-1 Defiant — a first-of-its-kind, fully autonomous medium unmanned surface vessel (MUSV) designed to operate for more than a year at sea without a single sailor aboard. The vessel, unveiled Monday in Everett, Washington, is the centerpiece of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) progra…

DARPA Christens Fully Autonomous Vessel USX-1 Defiant

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) christened the USX-1 Defiant, its first fully autonomous surface vessel, in a ceremony at Everett Ship Repair in Washington. Developed under DARPA’s No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) program, the 180-foot, 240-metric-ton vessel is designed for extended autonomous operations. It can reach speeds of 20 knots, withstand 30-foot waves, and remain at sea for up to a year.  DARPA announced the comp…