Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao says the deployment alongside the USS Theodore Roosevelt marks a milestone in autonomous warfare as the Pentagon expands its use of maritime drones amid Middle East tensions.
WASHINGTON | The U.S. Navy has deployed an unmanned surface vessel alongside an aircraft carrier strike group for the first time, marking a significant step in the Pentagon's effort to integrate autonomous weapons platforms into conventional naval operations.
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao announced the deployment Wednesday, saying the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group departed Oct. 8 with an unmanned surface vessel designed to expand the fleet's operational capabilities.
The deployment comes as the Theodore Roosevelt strike group moves toward the Middle East, where maritime security concerns and evolving military threats have accelerated the Pentagon's investment in autonomous systems.
Navy advances autonomous warfare strategy
The integration represents a milestone in the Navy's transition toward a hybrid fleet combining traditional warships, artificial intelligence and robotic platforms.
Under its emerging "Golden Fleet" strategy, the service aims to deploy unmanned vessels capable of conducting surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic warfare and potentially offensive operations alongside crewed ships.
Such systems could extend the reach of carrier strike groups, provide additional intelligence and reduce risks to sailors operating in contested waters.
Cao did not identify the unmanned vessel accompanying the Theodore Roosevelt. Although he described it as medium-sized, he also characterized the deployment as involving a large unmanned surface vessel.
Navy officials did not immediately clarify the vessel's identity in response to inquiries reported by DefenseScoop. The uncertainty leaves questions about its capabilities, weapons configuration and operational responsibilities.
Pentagon expands robotic and autonomous systems
The deployment follows broader changes to the Navy's acquisition strategy aimed at accelerating the development and fielding of unmanned military technology.
Cao announced Tuesday that Christopher Miller had been appointed portfolio acquisition executive for robotic and autonomous systems, placing him in a leadership position overseeing the development and integration of emerging platforms.
The Navy established the robotic and autonomous systems organization earlier this year to coordinate unmanned capabilities across surface, underwater and aerial operations.
The initiative reflects a growing emphasis on deploying autonomous systems at scale while improving interoperability with existing military assets.
Last year, the Navy consolidated its Large Unmanned Surface Vessel and Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel programs into the Modular Attack Surface Craft program, known as MASC.
The program is intended to support adaptable unmanned vessels equipped with mission-specific payloads, potentially including weapons, surveillance sensors and electronic warfare systems.
Strait of Hormuz operations demonstrate potential
During Wednesday's discussion, Cao highlighted earlier unmanned maritime operations in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important shipping corridor connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.
He said the Navy had used Saronic's Corsair unmanned surface vessel in an operation to recover a downed helicopter pilot and gunner.
Cao also described the use of unmanned underwater vehicles for mine-clearing operations in the region, underscoring the technology's potential to perform dangerous missions without exposing crews directly to hostile conditions.
Those operations illustrate how autonomous platforms could support search-and-rescue missions, maritime security and mine countermeasures while preserving conventional naval assets for other responsibilities.
Sea Hunter and Seahawk remain possible platforms
The Navy has tested several unmanned surface vessels in recent years, including the Sea Hunter and Seahawk, developed by defense contractor Leidos.
Both vessels emerged from the Navy's medium unmanned surface vessel development efforts and have supported experiments involving extended operations, autonomous navigation and integration with the surface fleet.
However, neither the Navy nor Leidos confirmed whether either vessel accompanied the Theodore Roosevelt strike group.
A Leidos representative referred questions about the vessels to the Navy, noting that the platforms are now government-owned.
A turning point for the US naval fleet
The deployment could have far-reaching implications for American naval strategy as military planners assess how autonomous systems can complement increasingly expensive and complex warships.
But significant challenges remain, including communications reliability, cybersecurity, autonomous decision-making, maintenance and the integration of unmanned platforms into high-intensity combat operations.
The Navy also faces questions about how quickly experimental systems can transition into dependable operational assets.
For the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, the deployment represents an important test of whether autonomous vessels can operate effectively alongside some of the world's most sophisticated naval forces.
As competition over military technology intensifies, the mission could help determine how rapidly the United States moves toward a future fleet in which crewed warships and autonomous vessels operate together.
The outcome could shape American naval operations for decades.
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-- By Masakela P. Rawls
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