The unmanned surface vessel (USV) Ranger steams alongside the USV Mariner as both ships transit the Pacific Ocean during a photo exercise as part of Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 23.2, Sep. 7, 2023. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jesse Monford)
WASHINGTON — The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and the Navy are launching a competition to expedite the development of containerized payloads on manned and unmanned surface vessels — for missions as varied as surveillance to electronic attack.
For the competition, dubbed the Spectacular MIST Challenge, DIU is teaming up with the Navy’s Rapid Capabilities Office and Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific to accelerate the prototyping and fielding of “transformative technologies,” according to the solicitation, posted Thursday.
“A critical component of this modernization effort is the deployment of autonomous and containerized payloads to generate combat power at speed and scale,” the solicitation said. “This initiative focuses on accelerating the development, prototyping, and production of a portfolio of payloads for integration onto manned and autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs), providing adaptable, lethal, and decisive advantages in contested maritime environments.”
