The U.S. Navy, in a significant advancement in naval technology, recently established the Unmanned Surface Vessel Division One (USVDIV-1).

USVDIV-1 will oversee the development and operation of medium and large unmanned surface vessels (USVs), such as the Sea Hunter and its sister vessel, the Sea Hawk. These vessels represent a new frontier in naval warfare, focusing on experimentation and advocacy within the surface force. The division’s establishment marks a shift towards a more technologically advanced and versatile naval fleet.

Cmdr. Jeremiah Daley, leading USVDIV-1, emphasizes the division’s role in propelling the Navy into the 21st century. Under his command, USVDIV-1 aims to expedite the delivery of credible and reliable unmanned systems, working alongside increasingly capable manned platforms. This strategic move is expected to enhance the Navy’s decision-making speed and lethality, thereby reinforcing its warfighting advantage.

The unmanned vessels recently completed a groundbreaking deployment in the Pacific, having sailed a combined 46,651 nautical miles and visiting ports in Japan and Australia. During this deployment, the vessels, including the Sea Hunter, Sea Hawk, Mariner, and Ranger, demonstrated significant autonomy, operating mostly in an autonomous mode for extended periods. This deployment was crucial in testing the integration of these unmanned ships into crewed fleet operations, exploring concepts of operations, crewing assumptions, and maintenance requirements.

One of the key successes of this deployment was the effective command and control of the vessels, managed both from the Unmanned Operations Center in Port Hueneme, Ca., and by Navy ships in the region. However, the deployment also highlighted the need for improved integration of the USVs and their payloads into a broader network of sensors and shooters.