Sea

DIU opens $40 million second phase for drone boats that shoot down air threats

The Defense Innovation Unit has launched the second phase of its SWAP-USV effort, offering up to $40 million for production-ready uncrewed surface vessels that can detect and destroy low-cost drones and helicopters. Entrants need mature autonomy, hard-kill weapons, sensors and interoperable controls, and must be deployable within 120 days. Deadlines and eligibility details were not published in the report.

Illustration of an uncrewed surface vessel tracking a small drone over the ocean

Illustration: Autonomy Wire (AI-generated)

Every Tuesday

The week on the wire

The week on the wire

The defense-autonomy stories that mattered last week, each with one line on why. Free, in your inbox Tuesday morning.

Free. One email a week. Unsubscribe anytime.