The US Navy has shown interest in sea drones developed by a Norwegian company already deployed in Ukraine. Founder Eirik Hovstein confirmed the American military is accelerating upgrades to its naval fleet and seeks to integrate more unmanned maritime systems. The demonstration follows Ukraine’s use of similar technology in combat operations, where sea drones have targeted Russian naval assets.
Hovstein stated the company’s autonomous surface vessels are in active service in Ukraine, where they have demonstrated effectiveness in shallow waters. The US Navy’s push for drone integration aligns with broader modernization efforts under its Unmanned Campaign Framework, which aims to deploy over 500 unmanned systems by 2027. American officials have not disclosed specific plans for the Norwegian systems but emphasized the need for rapid adaptation in contested maritime environments.
Defense analysts note the US Navy’s shift reflects lessons from the Black Sea conflict, where sea drones played a decisive role in disrupting traditional naval operations. Ukraine’s success with these systems has drawn global attention, prompting inquiries from NATO allies. The Norwegian company, which has not been publicly named, has not disclosed financial terms of potential US contracts.
The US Navy’s Surface Development Squadron ONE is leading the evaluation of unmanned technologies. A Pentagon spokesperson said the service is assessing multiple platforms to determine operational suitability. No timeline has been set for deployment decisions, but Hovstein indicated the company is prepared for large-scale production if required.
Source: tu.no