Navy Sets Up New Ocean Warfare Drone Squadron

By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow

The U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Naval Surface Force Commander (CNSP) announced the formation of the Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron (USVRON) Three at the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. This squadron is equipped with Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Crafts (GARCs), marking a significant step in the integration of unmanned systems into surface and joint maritime operations.

The USVRON Three will oversee a fleet of small, unmanned surface vessels (sUSV) known as Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC). Crafted by the Maritime Applied Physics Corporation, the 16-foot GARCs (Guided Autonomous Research Crafts) are designed to facilitate research, testing, and operations, paving the way for integration across surface, expeditionary, and joint maritime forces.

These GARCs are set to enhance the Navy’s conventional combatant force by providing additional warfighting capabilities and capacities. This enhancement will equip commanders with a broader spectrum of capabilities and deployment options, thereby amplifying the Fleet’s tactical and strategic advantages. The ultimate objective for these Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) is to enable fleet operations in coordination with carrier strike groups, surface action groups, or even on a standalone basis.

In essence, these 16-foot GARCs, engineered by the Maritime Applied Physics Corporation, are purpose-built for research, testing, and operations. Their integration into the surface, expeditionary, and joint maritime forces will be a game-changer. The squadron’s mission is to oversee a fleet of these small, unmanned surface vessels (sUSV).

Army Establishes New Mobile, Cyber-Hardened Data Network

The establishment of USVRON Three is a part of the broader trend of military forces worldwide expanding their long-range strike capabilities. The U.S. Army, for instance, has been developing technology for long-range strikes since the Obama administration. The Army’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) with extended range beyond 400 kilometers is a key technology within the service’s long-range precision fires portfolio.