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Defence technology firm Leidos has revealed its newest uncrewed surface vessel (USV), the Sea Archer, a compact, diesel-powered maritime platform that blends affordability, range and firepower with cutting-edge autonomy, all in a trailer transportable package.
Capable of reaching speeds up to 40 knots and executing sharp 180-degree turns, the 11-metre craft can be launched from a standard boat trailer and towed by a utility vehicle. It carries over 900 kilograms of enclosed payload, boasts an operational range of over 2,400 kilometres, and most notably, operates with no crew on board.
Yet despite these civilian-friendly features – including the ability to refuel at ordinary petrol stations and marinas – Sea Archer is anything but a recreational vessel.
“This is a purpose-built operational tool for the warfighter,” said Drew Mutch, Leidos’ USV program manager. “It combines proven marine design, advanced autonomy and scalable payload capability in a highly deployable and cost-effective platform.”
Backed entirely by internal research and development investment, Sea Archer was developed in under a year by Leidos’ naval architecture division. The tight timeline didn’t leave much room for error, especially given the demanding design brief: the vessel needed to be rugged, scalable, low-maintenance, diesel-powered and simple enough to be manufactured at virtually any commercial boatyard.
Most notably, it had to be capable of operating as part of a swarm – a lesson drawn directly from the battlefield in Ukraine, where low-cost, expendable uncrewed vessels have proven their worth against high-end naval assets.
“A vessel like Sea Archer can make a massive difference,” Mutch said. “A single ship can be sunk, but you can’t shoot down a swarm.”
At the heart of the Sea Archer is Leidos’ proprietary LAVA (Leidos Autonomous Vessel Architecture) system, previously proven aboard the larger Sea Hunter and Seahawk platforms. LAVA enables fully autonomous navigation, operations and coordination, and has now been integrated into 12 different USV designs within Leidos’ stable.
Chuck Fralick, chief technology officer for Leidos’ sea systems, described Sea Archer as “a compact but powerful extension of our autonomous naval capabilities.”
“This is the same technology that’s already demonstrated record-setting endurance missions across the Pacific with no crew aboard. We’ve miniaturised and refined it for a new class of operations.”
The Sea Archer’s fuel fraction – around one-third of its total weight – is unusually high for a vessel of its size, giving it impressive endurance without compromising payload or stability. Its stealthy shape and radar-reducing materials offer further tactical value, especially in contested environments.
Twin diesel outboards deliver speed, agility and ease of maintenance – with logistics simplified by the use of NATO-standard fuel and the ability to fit within ISO shipping containers.
The next milestone for Sea Archer will be live mission demonstrations, expected later this year. These will test a variety of operational payloads, including electronic warfare, kinetic strike and ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) capabilities. Leidos plans to begin limited-rate production shortly thereafter, with a goal of manufacturing up to 10 vessels per month.
With the US Navy and its allies – including Australia – increasingly embracing autonomous platforms to enhance operational reach and survivability, Leidos is confident that Sea Archer represents a critical step towards a more distributed, resilient maritime force.
“This is exactly the kind of small, agile and mass-producible USV future navies will need,” Mutch said. “It offers a leap in performance, flexibility and affordability – all wrapped in a war-ready package.”
