Navy Orders 30 Drone Ships From Saronic, HII and Galliano at About $40 Million Each
A Navy buying model that made vendors fund their own sea trials has produced its first production orders, and the service is already loosening the rules to bring in more builders.
A Navy buying model that made vendors fund their own sea trials has produced its first production orders, and the service is already loosening the rules to bring in more builders.
The Navy will buy 30 medium unmanned surface vessels, 10 each from Saronic Technologies, Huntington Ingalls Industries and Galliano Marine Services, the service announced on Sept. 29. Each agreement carries an average procurement cost of $40 million per vessel, about $1.2 billion across all 30 at that rate. The awards are Other Transaction agreements, and the first ships are due before fiscal 2027 ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Navy order?
Thirty medium unmanned surface vessels, 10 each from Saronic Technologies, HII and Galliano Marine Services, at an average procurement cost of $40 million per vessel, per the Navy.
When do the first ships arrive?
The Navy says the first MUSVs are scheduled for delivery before the end of fiscal year 2027. Production starts at yards in Loreauville, Houma and Franklin, Louisiana.
How did the companies win?
Under the MUSV marketplace the Navy launched in March, vendors paid for their own vessels and were rewarded only after passing at-sea tests. Six of the seven companies selected in May completed testing.
What happens to the vendors that passed but did not win?
Leidos, PacMar Technologies and Sea Machines each receive $15 million and join the Drones.mil marketplace, where Department of War buyers can place follow-on orders.
What changes in Phase II?
The Sept. 23 solicitation drops the Phase I speed and at-sea refueling targets and lowers payload capacity to two 20-foot containers. Testing can begin as early as Nov. 16, according to Chris Miller.
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Marcus Schuler
Marcus Schuler edits BattlePolicy, a daily defense-technology brief connecting the companies and capabilities behind modern war to the contest among Europe, the US, Russia, and China.