MARTAC and SŌLACE have partnered to increase production of unmanned surface boats. The collaboration aims to enhance manufacturing capabilities for these autonomous vessels. No specific details on production targets or timelines were provided in the announcement. The partnership was reported by Interesting Engineering on September 20, 2026.
A U.S. naval operation nearly intercepted a Chinese ship in the Middle East due to an AI-assisted intelligence error in 2026. The mistake was identified and corrected after senior analysts and experts reviewed the data. The incident highlights risks in relying on AI-driven intelligence without human oversight. No boarding occurred following the reassessment.
DNV and Fassmer have partnered to develop autonomous vessels specifically for naval operations. The collaboration aims to advance unmanned ship technology. No specific technical details or timelines were provided in the announcement. The focus is on enhancing naval capabilities through automation.
A technician conducts maintenance on a yellow unmanned surface vessel (USV). The image is part of an 11-photo series released by DVIDS. No additional details about the vessel, maintenance tasks, or specific context are provided. The publication date is September 15, 2026.
On September 15, 2026, the U.S. military destroyed Iranian fishing boats that attempted to seize a U.S. unmanned surface vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the region. No casualties were reported in the confrontation. The U.S. defended the action as necessary to protect its assets.
MARTAC has expanded its production capacity to build 100 Devil Ray unmanned surface vessels (USVs) annually. This increase supports the U.S. Navy’s push to rapidly grow its unmanned maritime fleet. The Devil Ray USVs are designed for various naval missions, including surveillance and reconnaissance. The move aligns with the Navy’s broader strategy to integrate more unmanned systems into operations.
DNV will provide classification services to support Fassmer’s development of naval autonomous vessels. The collaboration aims to advance the design and safety standards for uncrewed ships in naval applications. Fassmer, a German shipbuilder, is focusing on integrating autonomous technologies into its naval projects. The partnership will ensure compliance with regulatory and operational requirements.
Sea Machines Robotics won a contract to provide maritime autonomy technology for the U.S. Special Operations Command. The agreement focuses on enhancing unmanned surface vessels for special operations missions. No specific details on the contract’s scope or timeline were disclosed. The technology aims to improve operational capabilities in maritime environments.
Stories first reported in an earlier week that got new coverage this week.