US military to test new Red Cat unmanned surface vessel in August
An artist’s concept of Red Cat’s 7 metre USV (Photo: Red Cat)
Puerto Rico-based firm announces it expansion into the “fast-growing and urgently needed” maritime unmanned market.
Red Cat, a Puerto Rico-based supplier of drones for military and law-enforcement purposes, has confirmed to Shephard that the US military will test the first unmanned surface vessel (USV) built by the company in August. Currently under development, the new capability will mark Red Cat’s entrance into the maritime uncrewed market.
Red Cat CEO Jeff Thompson told Shephard the supplier would build test boats “in about a month” and demonstrated them “pretty extensively” to a DoD-related organisation.
The 7 metre platform will enter production in the third quarter of this year. According to Red Cat, it will feature a modular architecture to support
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![First made-in-Finland US Coast Guard Arctic Security Cutter to be delivered in 2028]()
First made-in-Finland US Coast Guard Arctic Security Cutter to be delivered in 2028
The first Arctic Security Cutter will be built by Rauma Marine Constructions to be deployed in the US Arctic waters.
-
![Is the US Navy’s Golden Fleet initiative achievable?]()
Is the US Navy’s Golden Fleet initiative achievable?
The effort to provide the US Navy with Trump-class battleships might face financial, production and doctrinal obstacles.
-
![Will the US Navy surge production for OTH-WS missile?]()
Will the US Navy surge production for OTH-WS missile?
The USN is conducting a market search seeking additional sources capable of supplying 516 units of Over the Horizon – Weapons System Encanistered Missiles.
-
![How will SAFE shape naval procurement for Canada and its highest-receiving members?]()
How will SAFE shape naval procurement for Canada and its highest-receiving members?
Canada’s inclusion on the EU’s Security Action for Europe initiative is set to enhance the country’s defence procurement strategy with important implications for some of its naval programmes, while Poland and Romania have also secured significant SAFE funding.
-
![Thales wins DE&S contract for portable autonomous command centres]()
Thales wins DE&S contract for portable autonomous command centres
The agreement to provide portable autonomous command centres to the UK Royal Navy will enhance the service’s Mine Counter Measure operations and further integrate autonomous and uncrewed systems into its fleet.
-
![Maritime defence in the Mediterranean faces challenges from vulnerable land power]()
Maritime defence in the Mediterranean faces challenges from vulnerable land power
As an indispensable energy crossroads, the Mediterranean is at serious risk from grey zone disruption. As navies increasingly employ AI data centres, what happens when cutting-edge defence technologies rely on the very infrastructure most susceptible to hybrid tactics?
