The Marine Corps is conducting market research into small drone boats as part of a push to boost the service’s reconnaissance capabilities and prepare for conflict near shore. The Marine Corps Systems Command posted a request for information seeking unmanned surface vessels that can sense at sea. As part of the Force Design 2030 modernization initiative, the Marine Corps plans to use uncrewed technology for communications, logistics, and delivering fires.
Force Design also includes revamping Marines’ intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities in preparation for a potential fight with a high-tech adversary, particularly the Chinese military. The Corps is seeking unmanned vessels with sensors for detecting and recognizing other objects on the water. They would be controlled by Marines and geared for a “littoral operating environment.” The request emphasizes the need for “non-developmental solutions” and leaves many of the details, including size and architecture, up to vendors. The Corps also wants information about systems that could enable the vessels, including automated threat detection, mine detection, and autonomous launch and recovery.
Sea service leaders envision an important role for unmanned vessels in future conflict at sea, and the Navy already makes use of them. The Navy’s future fleet may include about 373 manned ships and 150 unmanned vessels. Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl, head of Marine Corps Combat Development Command, highlighted the potential for loitering munitions launched from unmanned surface and underwater vessels. Irene Loewenson is a staff reporter for Marine Corps Times.
