Blue Water Autonomy, a Boston-based autonomous systems developer, has announced plans to begin manufacturing uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) for the U.S. Navy starting in March 2026. The company, operating in partnership with Louisiana-based Conrad Industries, will produce Liberty-class vessels designed to augment the Navy's operational capabilities with minimal crewing requirements.
The Liberty-class USVs measure 190 feet in length and displace approximately 1,200 tons, positioning them as smaller alternatives to traditional Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. Each vessel is equipped to carry between 16 and 32 missiles and can be constructed in under one year. Blue Water Autonomy has outlined production targets of 10 to 20 vessels annually, representing a significant expansion of unmanned naval capabilities.
The initiative aligns with the Navy's modernization objectives and broader force structure goals. The platform's abbreviated construction timeline and reduced personnel requirements could offer efficiency advantages compared to conventional shipbuilding programs, while potentially accelerating the Navy's path toward expanded fleet size objectives.