USCG to test and evaluate Sharktech
Sea Machines Robotics is partnering shipbuilder Metal Shark Boats to supply the US Coast Guard (USCG) Research and Development Center (RDC) with a new Sharktech 29 Defiant vessel.
The 29ft (8.84m), welded-aluminium monohull boat will be used to test and evaluate the ‘capabilities of available autonomous vessel technology’, Sea Machines announced on 29 September.
The Sharktech 29 Defiant for the USCG project is equipped with the Sea Machines SM300 autonomous-command and remote-helm control system for transit autonomy, collaborative autonomy, collision avoidance and remote vessel monitoring.
In demonstrations scheduled for October off the coast of Hawaii, the RDC team will test and evaluate the autonomous capabilities of Sharktech to potentially support USCG missions such as surveillance, interdiction and patrol.
Following the Hawaii demonstrations, the autonomous vessel will be returned to the RDC for additional testing to investigate applications in various Coast Guard missions. ‘The exercises will ultimately help us determine how, when, and if this innovative technology can be used to support personnel who are executing a variety of Coast Guard activities,’ said Derek Meier, USCG Assistant Demonstration Director.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, Sharktech kit is designed to be fitted to Metal Shark boats ranging in length from 16ft to 300ft.
Sharktech 29 Defiant is already available on the commercial market. In July 2020, Sea Machines partnered Huntington Ingalls Industries to accelerate the deployment of self-piloting technologies on unmanned naval boats and ships.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Cummings Aerospace showcases Hellhound loitering munition designed for US Army’s LASSO programme (video)]()
Cummings Aerospace showcases Hellhound loitering munition designed for US Army’s LASSO programme (video)
Cummings Aerospace presented its turbojet-powered Hellhound loitering munition at SOF Week 2025, offering a man-portable solution aligned with the US Army’s LASSO requirements.
-
![SOF Week 2025: PDW unveils attritable FPV drone for SOF operations at scale]()
SOF Week 2025: PDW unveils attritable FPV drone for SOF operations at scale
PDW has revealed its Attritable Multirotor First Person View drone at SOF Week 2025, offering special operations forces a low-cost, rapidly deployable platform for strike and ISR missions, inspired by battlefield lessons from Ukraine.
-
![SOF Week 2025: Teledyne FLIR white paper provides guidance on reusable loitering munitions]()
SOF Week 2025: Teledyne FLIR white paper provides guidance on reusable loitering munitions
Teledyne FLIR is highlighting the emerging requirements for 'recoverable and re-usable' loitering munitions across the contemporary operating environment during this week’s SOF Week conference in Tampa, Florida.
-
![SOF Week 2025: Kraken Technology group debuts K3 Scout USV in North America]()
SOF Week 2025: Kraken Technology group debuts K3 Scout USV in North America
High-performance maritime industry player Kraken Technology Group, based in the UK, has used the SOF Week conference in Tampa, Florida this week to debut its K3 Scout uncrewed surface vessel (USV) to the North American market.
-
![Palladyne AI and Red Cat to demonstrate capabilities for autonomous drone swarms to the US military]()
Palladyne AI and Red Cat to demonstrate capabilities for autonomous drone swarms to the US military
Red Cat and Palladyne AI recently conducted a cross-platform collaborative flight involving three diverse heterogeneous drones.
-
![Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures]()
Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.
