U.S. Sailors assigned to Unmanned Undersea Vehicles Group ONE utilize an Iver3-580 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle to scan the ocean floor for hazards during African Lion 26 off the coast of Agadir, Morocco, May 7, 2026. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Kalypso Braynen)
WASHINGTON — The US Coast Guard wants technology solutions to take down unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) as a way to bolster port security.
While “effective” technologies exist to track and detect UUVs, there are few “tested and fielded” solutions equipped with defeat and mitigation systems, according to a request for information the Coast Guard published on Friday.
“Malicious actors can employ UUVs for a range of activities, including intelligence gathering, surveillance, smuggling, sabotage of critical infrastructure, and kinetic strikes,” the notice said. “The covert nature and advanced navigation capabilities of modern UUVs make them difficult to detect, track, and mitigate using traditional maritime interdiction tactics. … Defeat technologies are an essential piece in the kill chain, as detection is only the first step to stopping the threat.”
Specifically, the Coast Guard Research and Development Center is seeking details on commercially available tech including sensor platforms, kinetic solutions, and integrated response solutions to support ports, waterways, and coastal security, the notice said. Solutions without defeat capabilities will not be considered, per the notice.
