Unmanned systems to get more attention in next US Navy force study
The next version of the US Navy’s force structure assessment (FSA) should give a clearer picture of how unmanned systems will fit into the service’s future fleet, according to its second-ranking civilian.
While the 2016 FSA focused on expanding the fleet to 355 ships, up from fewer than 290 today, the new FSA will address a ‘355-plus’ navy, with the ‘plus’ referring to potential enhancements, such as ‘a bigger integration of unmanned vehicles, sensors [and] increased lethality,’ navy undersecretary Thomas Modly said on 4 October.
Unmanned systems are ‘a huge priority for the Navy,’ Modly told the Defense Writers Group
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Sweden swayed by speed to capability in French frigate win]()
Sweden swayed by speed to capability in French frigate win
Naval Group has secured a contract to supply four Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention frigates to the Royal Swedish Navy, extending the French naval industry’s reach into Northern Europe and showing why speed to capability has become the defining criterion in today’s defence procurement contests.
-
![SOF Week 2026: MARSOC selects upgraded Shark Marine dive navigation system]()
SOF Week 2026: MARSOC selects upgraded Shark Marine dive navigation system
MARSOC is procuring the Shark Marine Dive Tablet 2 to address a longstanding combat diver navigation capability gap, improving underwater positioning, situational awareness and integration with existing diver propulsion vehicles.
-
![SOF Week 2026: NSW expands commercial UxS push to maritime platforms as USASOC advances FPV drone effort]()
SOF Week 2026: NSW expands commercial UxS push to maritime platforms as USASOC advances FPV drone effort
The US Army Special Operations Command and Naval Special Warfare are accelerating efforts to integrate commercial uncrewed systems, with NSW broadening its solicitation to include USVs and UUVs alongside new requirements for ISR, kinetic operations and swarm technologies.
