Pentagon Launches $100 Million Autonomous Drone Boat Competition
The Pentagon's Defense Innovation Unit has initiated a year-long competition seeking autonomous surface vessels capable of launching aerial drones at sea. Backed by $100 million in prize funding and a potential $200 million procurement budget, the SWAP-USV project aims to bolster maritime defense capabilities through three distinct testing sprints beginning in late 2026.
Key points
- The Pentagon, through the Defense Innovation Unit, launched a formal solicitation for the Suitable Warfighting Adaptive Payloads (SWAP-USV) project.
- The initiative seeks unmanned surface vessels capable of deploying small attack drones during maritime operations in contested waters.
- The year-long competition offers approximately $100 million in total prize money across three testing sprints, alongside potential $200 million procurement contracts.
- In-water testing for the first sprint is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2026, with full field deployment targeted within 120 days following that phase.
The United States Department of Defense has initiated a major push for advanced naval technology, launching a formal solicitation for unmanned surface vessels capable of launching aerial drones directly at sea. Overseen by the Defense Innovation Unit, the project is officially designated as Suitable Warfighting Adaptive Payloads, or SWAP-USV. This initiative is designed to enhance asymmetric defense capabilities against low-cost maritime threats operating within contested environments.
The effort centers on a year-long, multi-phase competition backed by approximately $100 million in total prize funding. Participants will navigate three separate testing sprints, each featuring distinct technical requirements and financial rewards. Competitors who successfully complete the rigorous testing phases will position themselves for lucrative follow-on procurement contracts, which are supported by an additional budget of $200 million.
Operational evaluations are scheduled to begin with Sprint 1 in-water testing in the fall of 2026, with the objective of achieving full field deployment within 120 days after testing concludes. The competition will subsequently progress into early 2027 with Sprint 2, which will place a primary emphasis on expanding payload capacities for the autonomous vessels.
Sources
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