The Future of Naval Operations: U.S. Navy Expands Uncrewed Surface Vessels

The future of naval operations may include fleets in which some vessels operate without sailors onboard. In September 2026, the U.S. Navy announced a major step toward that future, with plans to acquire 30 medium uncrewed surface vessels (MUSVs) following at-sea testing.

The U.S. Navy announced production agreements with Galliano Marine Services, Huntington Ingalls Industries, and Saronic Technologies, with each company expected to provide 10 vessels at an average cost of $40 million per vessel. The first MUSVs are scheduled for delivery before September 2027.

The move illustrates how robotics, artificial intelligence, sensors, and autonomous navigation are reshaping maritime operations. It also creates new engineering challenges and opportunities for technology professionals who can design, test, secure, and operate increasingly sophisticated autonomous systems.

How Uncrewed Vessels Navigate the Ocean

An uncrewed surface vessel operates without a human crew onboard. Depending on its design, it can be remotely controlled, follow a programmed mission, or make some decisions with limited real-time human input. However, all USVs still require some degree of human involvement.

Making these vessels work requires several technologies operating together. Sensors collect information about the surrounding environment, while onboard systems process those inputs to help determine the vessel's position and surroundings. Autonomous control systems can then use that information to navigate and make operational decisions.

This process, often called sensor fusion, combines information from multiple sensors to create a more complete understanding of the environment. Machine learning and decision-making algorithms can further help autonomous platforms interpret complex situations, while control systems translate decisions into changes in direction or speed.

Satellite communications can also connect vessels with operators and command networks, helping to transmit oceanographic and atmospheric information to shore by satellite in real time.

Challenges of Uncrewed Vessels in the Ocean

When autonomous vessels encounter real-world maritime conditions, navigation becomes significantly more difficult. A vessel may need to detect other ships or marine animals to avoid collisions while operating in crowded waterways. At sea, it must operate amid waves and changing environmental conditions. If communications become limited or unavailable, the system must still maintain a safe, automated operation.

These challenges make extensive testing essential. During Phase I testing, the Navy evaluated the vessels' ability to understand their maritime surroundings, autonomously navigate according to international collision-prevention rules, and complete long-duration missions.

Testing also helps engineers determine how hardware, software, sensors, communications, and control technologies perform together. Simulation can help engineers evaluate designs and software before deployment, while hardware testing and sea trials provide opportunities to validate performance under operational conditions.

Commercial systems illustrate just how complex this technology is becoming. For example, BAE Systems describes its Uncrewed Surface Vessel as using the company's Nautomate autonomous control system and operating either independently or as part of a larger maritime operations group.

Securing Uncrewed Vessels

Greater connectivity also creates cybersecurity considerations as their dependence on network-connected software, sensors, communications, and control systems makes cybersecurity a critical part of system safety.

Engineers must consider how autonomous systems behave if information is unreliable or communications fail, while cybersecurity professionals must identify and address vulnerabilities in the digital systems supporting operations. Reliable human oversight is equally important, particularly when systems operate in complex or unpredictable environments.

Growing Opportunities in Uncrewed Systems

Systems engineering helps bring these requirements together. Rather than considering navigation, cybersecurity, power, software, and communications as separate challenges, systems engineers examine how individual components interact across an entire platform.

The Navy's investment also highlights increasing demand for people who understand multiple areas of emerging technology. Developing and operating uncrewed systems can involve expertise in robotics, computer science, AI, electrical engineering, cybersecurity, naval architecture, and marine engineering.

These technologies extend far beyond defense. NOAA uses USVs for applications including seafloor mapping, weather and ocean observations, marine research, and environmental monitoring.

Uncrewed Systems Education at Capitol Tech

As uncrewed and autonomous platforms expand, organizations will need professionals who can design, secure, test, and manage them in ambiguous and rapidly changing contexts. Capitol Technology University's Master of Science in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems is an online program designed to prepare professionals through experiential learning in uncrewed vehicle systems, autonomy and automation, sensing and perception, safety, cybersecurity, risk management, laws and policy, and data analysis.

Explore what a degree from Capitol Tech can do for you! To learn more, contact our Admissions team or request more information.

Written by Jordan Ford
Edited by Erica Decker