SOF Week 2026: US NSW explores 3D-printed USVs for forward-deployed operations
US Naval Special Warfare Command is assessing the feasibility of rapidly producing expendable mid-sized USVs in theatre to support SOF and maritime security missions.
The US Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Command is pursuing a requirement to ‘3D print’ mid-sized uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) when forward deployed, according to a solicitation published on 20 April.
According to the request for information, NSW is at the very start of conducting a market research effort seeking to better understand the ‘development, procurement and integration of unmanned systems (UxS) capabilities in support of the Joint Force, Special Operations Forces (SOF), and allied SOF’.
Documents published on the Vulcan website specifically described how NSW is interested in being able to ‘explore and/or identify 3D-printed (expendable) 15-30ft boat hulls (USVs)
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