The Navy is aiming to boost production of Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft to a rate of 32 systems per month amid a broader push by the sea service to field more robotic platforms to counter China in the Pacific.

As the Military Sealift Command (MSC) celebrates its 75th anniversary, forward-thinking innovation is driving the future of maritime logistics and operations. The Taluga Group, an innovation cell named after the storied USNS Taluga, is at the forefront of adapting existing technologies to meet modern challenges. One standout example is the Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC), an unmanned surface vessel (USV) developed by Maritime Applied Physics Corporation (MAPC). GARC is being evaluated for a range of missions, including logistics and anti-terrorism force protection. With its autonomous capabilities, GARC offers the potential for delivering critical supplies to remote locations safely and efficiently, even in contested environments, aligning with MSC’s mission to enhance operational reach while reducing risk.

At Jervis Bay this week, the Maritime Big Play showcased innovative AUKUS technologies that will support trilateral operations from deep underwater to the edge of space.

The United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom recently completed successful tests of autonomous and networked systems during the Autonomous Warrior 24 event, part of the Maritime Big Play initiative aimed at enhancing maritime awareness through networked autonomy. This three-week experimentation allowed AUKUS partners to improve interoperability and refine their capabilities in operating uncrewed maritime systems, focusing on real-time data sharing and decision-making. The tests featured various technologies, including software-defined acoustic modems and low-cost unmanned vehicles, and highlighted the importance of collaboration in creating more efficient defense strategies. As Under Secretary of Defense Heidi Shyu noted, this trilateral effort supports a stable region where nations can safeguard their sovereignty.

As the U.S. Navy continues to push the boundaries of uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) capabilities, the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory’s development of the Autonomy Baseline Library (ABL) showcases the importance of open-architecture systems that rapidly scale and evolve. Tested during the T-REX event in March and set for further trials at the Autonomous Warrior exercise, this cutting-edge software highlights how innovation is shaping the future of naval operations.

Adm. Lisa Franchetti has introduced “Project 33,” an initiative focused on integrating robotic and autonomous systems into the Navy by 2027. This effort aims to bolster the fleet’s readiness for potential conflict with China by expanding unmanned capabilities, enhancing warfighting capacity, and driving information dominance. The initiative will leverage emerging technologies and focus on distributed maritime operations, information-centric battlespaces, and joint force integration to ensure strategic advantages in the coming years.

US Navy's unmanned systems, including the GARC operated by Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron 3, are reshaping future naval strategies. Autonomous vessels and drones are being explored as potential counters to naval invasions, with lessons drawn from recent conflicts. The implementation of these technologies faces challenges but could significantly impact maritime defense in regions like the Taiwan Strait.