DIU Launches Second Phase of Unmanned Vessel Competition with $40 Million Prize
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- BreakingDefense
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has initiated the second phase of its prize challenge aimed at developing mature unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for the Pentagon. This phase, known as Sprint 2, offers up to $40 million in prize money and seeks USVs capable of detecting and defeating airborne threats within 120 days.
This initiative is crucial as the Navy faces challenges from low-cost, low-signature threats such as explosive USVs and small unmanned aerial systems. The DIU's solicitation emphasizes the need for USVs equipped with hard-kill counter-air effectors and resilient sensor suites to enhance operational capabilities in contested maritime environments.
Submissions for Sprint 2 are due by November 30, with in-water testing anticipated to begin in early 2027. The competition includes multiple phases, with Sprint 1 already underway and Sprint 3 expected to start in spring 2027. The DIU has allocated $200 million for subsequent prototype contracts following the competition.
Original report
DIU unveils next phase in unmanned vessel competition
BreakingDefense · Diana StancyThis briefing is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting and is provided for industry information and news discovery. The original report and source publication are credited and linked where applicable. RobotToday does not claim ownership of third-party source material.
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