The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) formally named a new unmanned surface vehicle (USV) in a ceremony at Everett Ship Repair in Washington on Monday, August 11.
Defiant was completed as a demonstrator for DARPA's no manning required, ship (NOMARS) program. DARPA said it boasts a simplified hull design to allow rapid production and maintenance in nearly any port facility or tier III shipyard that traditionally supports yacht, tug, and workboat customers.
The 180-foot (55-metre), 240-tonne USV is completing final systems testing in preparation for an extended at-sea demonstration of its reliability and endurance.
“While relatively small, Defiant is designed for extended voyages in the open ocean, can handle operations in sea state five with no degradation and survive much higher seas, continuing operations once the storm passes," said NOMARS Program Manager Greg Avicola. "She’s no wider than she must be to fit the largest piece of hardware and we have no human passageways to worry about."
After completing the at-sea demonstration, Defiant will be turned over to the US Navy's Unmanned Maritime Systems Program Office.