Uncrewed surface vessel
AssessTechniques
A remotely operated or autonomous vessel that travels on the water without crew onboard.
Why it's here
Placed in Assess: 2 article(s) of evidence from 1 source(s), led by funding news, with 1 in the last 30 days. Confidence 33%.
Evidence (2)
- 8Ars Technica AI·7/14/2026breakthroughUS military deploys explosive drone boats in combat for the first time
The US military says it used explosive-laden sea drones in combat for the first time, striking an Iranian midget submarine and a naval facility at Bandar Abbas Naval Base. The one-way attack surface drones approached their targets before detonating, marking a notable escalation in the use of unmanned maritime systems by the United States.
- 8Ars Technica AI·6/18/2026fundingTaiwan expands drone production for defense and export
Taiwan’s defense ministry has proposed a six-year budget of $6.6 billion to buy more than 208,000 domestically made attack drones, along with reconnaissance drones and uncrewed surface vessels, from 2026 to 2031. The move is aimed at strengthening deterrence against China while local companies also pursue partnerships to sell drones to the US military and other foreign buyers.