The US Congress, via the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), has proposed a bill that will ensure up to US$150 billion for defence spending for the remainder of this year.
Among its many provisions, the bill includes allocations of over US$1.8 billion for the manufacture of medium unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), US$1.3 billion for the development of unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs), and US$188.36 million for the development and testing of maritime robotic autonomous systems and enabling technologies.
Another US$250 million will go to the development of wave-powered UUVs.
The HASC bill is now under review by the House Budget Committee.
"This legislation represents a generational upgrade for our nation’s defence capabilities, including historic investments in new technology," said US Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi,Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
"This is about building the future of American defence, achieving peace through strength, and ultimately deterring war."
The unmanned craft considered for large-scale manufacture include the UUVs developed by defence technology companies Boeing and Anduril Industries, while the USVs favoured by the US Navy will include variants based on existing commercial designs