US Agency for Advanced Defense Projects (DARPA) has published the first video of the tests of the unmanned experimental vessel Usx-1 defiantdeveloped as part of the revolutionary program No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS).
With one displacement of 240 tonnes and a length of 55 meters was defiant built by the company Serco by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders The yard in Freeland, Washington. The sea trials started in March 2025 and mark a new chapter in the development of military marine technology.
+ Click here to watch the video of USX-1 Defiant
A radically unmanned design
The Nomars program introduces a groundbreaking shift in ship design. Unlike conventional vessels are USX-1 designed from scratch to operate completely without human presence – There are neither cabins nor systems to support the crew on board.
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According to Darpa, the project aims to reduce size and costsimprove Hydrodynamic efficiencysafe better robustness on the open sea and increase the survival capacity of fighting situations – Thanks to the vessel’s ability to be invisible, autonomous and resistant to external disorders.
Advanced navigation and sensor equipment
To ensure safe and autonomous navigation is defined with the modern front -scanning sonar system Argos fls from FarSounder. Integrated into the navigation system, it provides real -time understanding of situations and helps avoid obstacles.
In addition, the vessel is equipped with the automatic route planning system TVOSdeveloped by the British company Thyrwhich further strengthens the ship’s ability to operate completely independently of people.
A new era for naval warfare
With the USX-1 defiant, Darpa takes a concrete step towards the future of autonomous marine operations. Although the vessel is not equipped with weapons systems, it acts as a test platform for the development of a new generation of unmanned, effective, robust and invisible vessels – which can operate in hostile environments without jeopardizing human life.
Source and pictures: Darpa. This content was created with the help of KI and reviewed by the editorial staff.
