VESSEL REVIEW | AEU39 – Solar-powered USV fitted with remote weapon station
US company Voltaic Marine has had its first AEU39 solar-powered unmanned surface vehicle (USV) in trials on the Great Lakes.
The vessel is aimed at defence and security missions that require long periods on station.
The USV was unveiled on June 15, 2026, and is marketed under Voltaic Marine’s Voltaic Defense brand. The first article, complete with its autonomy suite, mast, solar shell, battery and hull, entered the water in the summer of 2026.
Voltaic Marine designed and built the vessel. Its propulsion, energy systems and hull use the same architecture as the company's consumer and commercial boats, including an electric sports boat.
Can house a variety of sensors and other equipment depending on operator requirements
The aluminium hull has an LOA of 39 feet (12 metres) while two modular bays can accommodate a combined payload of 4,000 lb (1,800 kg). Payloads draw power at 800 V to 12 V and connect through open data and communications standards.
The deck is gyrostabilised through conditions of up to Sea State four.
The autonomy suite supports waypoint transit, area patrol, loitering on station, and repositioning on command.
The vessel is also autonomy-agnostic and command-and-control-agnostic, thus allowing operators to integrate their own existing systems.
Capable of long-endurance security missions
The USV can be moved by road trailer in a 45-foot high-cube container or aboard C-17 and C-130 aircraft. It can also be launched from a boat ramp.
Moog announced on August 24 that its lightweight reconfigurable integrated-weapons platform had demonstrated detection and tracking aboard the USV during the US Navy's Coastal Trident Demo.
Moog said the system can integrate multiple missile launchers alongside a 30mm cannon. The mount sits in the bow bay beneath a hinged armoured hatch.
"The AEU39 was built for modular payload bays, abundant electric power, and proven payload integration," said Voltaic Marine CEO Richard Phamdo.
Solar panels forming a five to six kW shell around the hull charge a 300kWh battery, which then supplies power to the payloads. The company said that at station-keeping speeds under approximately two knots, the shell can collect roughly 24 kWh per day, compared with a 2.5kWh station-keeping draw, so no fuel is consumed.
For periods when the weather does not support pure solar operation, an optional hybrid generator is available.
The electric propulsion system delivers a maximum speed of 22 knots and a range of more than 5,000 nautical miles. The builder stated that the system has low acoustic and thermal signatures.
Moog has described the Voltaic Marine USVs as intended for hosting, launching and recharging unmanned systems at sea for fleet protection, littoral defence and port security missions.