A cutting-edge unmanned warship, potentially tied to the U.S. Navy’s plans for autonomous warfare, has been seen navigating waters off the coast of Washington state. The vessel, identified as the USX-1 Defiant, was reportedly being escorted by a tugboat through the Saratoga Passage in Puget Sound, just a short distance from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, according to The War Zone.  

 

 

The 180-foot, 240-ton unmanned surface vessel (USV) was completed last month after a five-year development process. It was constructed as part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) “No Manning Required Ship” (NOMARS) program in collaboration with private maritime operations company Serco, which served as the primary contractor for the project.  

 

First launched at the Nichols Brothers Boat Builders shipyard near Freeland, Washington, last month, the Defiant is now preparing for a series of trials aimed at delivering a cost-effective unmanned platform to the Navy. USVs like the Defiant are primarily used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence gathering.  

 

The vessel’s development aligns with growing demands from U.S. policymakers and military leaders for unmanned systems to bolster Taiwan’s defense against a potential Chinese invasion. Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, previously outlined the concept of a naval “hellscape,” in which autonomous drones would be deployed in large numbers to the Taiwan Strait as a deterrent against China’s People’s Liberation Army.  

 

“Removing the human element from all ship design considerations” has allowed for a sleeker structure, enhancing stealth capabilities, hydrodynamic efficiency, and performance in rough seas, according to DARPA. However, it remains unclear whether the Defiant will be remotely controlled or fully autonomous. The vessel has been spotted partially covered by a tarp in images released by the agency, indicating that many details about its design and capabilities remain undisclosed.  

 

DARPA, which serves as the U.S. Department of Defense’s research and development arm, confirmed that the Defiant is set to “undergo extensive in-water testing, both dockside and at sea” before embarking on a multi-month demonstration scheduled for the spring of 2025.  

 

Ryan Maatta, a Marine Engineer Manager with Serco overseeing the NOMARS project, expressed optimism about the vessel’s cost-effectiveness, stating in an interview with Naval News that the goal is for the ship to be “much less expensive to do the same mission as a manned platform.” He further noted that the Defiant would first undergo two months of sea trials before moving on to “a very large and extensive demonstration of the vessel and its capabilities.”  

 

With its advanced design and potential role in future naval operations, the Defiant remains a focal point of intrigue as it prepares to enter the next phase of testing.

 

Based on a report by The Independent  2025-03-10

 

 

Dawn of the drone wars.

 

Ref:  Star Trek, TNG S1 E21

I'm surprised they didn't mention this in the article.

 

Thank goodness. For a moment I thought it was Thailand's Chinese submarine being tested. 

Who’s aboard to fix it when it breaks down it’s an <deleted> boat for crying out loud!

Serco has upped their game from contract catering in British Army messes and cookhouses. Mind you they were spectacularly crap at that, so the boat will probably, 1) be never ready on time, 2) fail to deliver in terms of quality and quantity, 3) be heartily detested by anyone who has anything to do with it!

On 3/9/2025 at 8:25 PM, Tug said:

Who’s aboard to fix it when it breaks down it’s an <deleted> boat for crying out loud!

Presumably that is what the tugboat is for, not very "stealthy"  though if it needs a tugboat chugging around behind it!

 

Wait until some traitor sells the electronic codes to China.

On 3/9/2025 at 8:25 PM, Tug said:

Who’s aboard to fix it when it breaks down it’s an <deleted> boat for crying out loud!

No doubt this ship will have a dedicated repair crew following close behind in their Yellow Submarine complete with a band  

7 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Wait until some traitor sells the electronic codes to China.

All set up for the next time Chinese or Russian spies visit Trump in the Oval Office.    Wouldn't be the first time 

15 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Wait until some traitor sells the electronic codes to China.

The electronic codes were probably stolen from China. 

On 3/9/2025 at 8:25 PM, Tug said:

Who’s aboard to fix it when it breaks down it’s an <deleted> boat for crying out loud!

 

Either breaks down or alternatively & possibly worse "Hacked" 

Considering that we know its name, number, designer, builder, launch date, and purpose, I would say that it isn't terribly mysterious.

Pretty amusing if it went AWOL or grew a conscience and started firing on its maker... Trump Tower would be good.

I wonder what the US would do, if they sailed it in international waters and it was hi-jacked (ship-jacked?) by a country not friendly to the USA and taken elsewhere for closer examination, or simply held for ransom?

4 hours ago, Tug said:

Who’s aboard to fix it when it breaks down it’s an effin boat for crying out loud!

They've got some Chinese or Japanese Robots to test for that job.  🙏

The  USS Marie Celeste?

16 hours ago, gamb00ler said:

All set up for the next time Chinese or Russian spies visit Trump in the Oval Office.    Wouldn't be the first time 

 

They'll all be queueing up and fighting to use the toilet ('bathroom').

Saw this and thought of Nemo's Sword of the Seas from the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen!

17 hours ago, gamb00ler said:

All set up for the next time Chinese or Russian spies visit Trump in the Oval Office.    Wouldn't be the first time 

17 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Wait until some traitor sells the electronic codes to China.

Didn't take long for the Arrgghh Trump brigade to chime in.. just cat help yourselves

Emperor Xi sending a warning to Trump or Putin sending in more support for Trump?

Doesn't maritime law allow anyone to board and then own an unmanned ship on the high seas?

 

 

Not a problem as long as it isn't from China/Russia.

10 hours ago, impulse said:

Doesn't maritime law allow anyone to board and then own an unmanned ship on the high seas?

 

 

 

Nice try.

But not as long as it come with the name of USS(this case USX) and  on water surface.

X means being operated on trial basis.

It'll have a rough time in the deep seas. My carrier was 88,000 ton load displacement and in a bad storm we listed to either side by as much as 14 degrees. Our smaller escort ships had to go around the storm.

I know the Coast Guard have ships that will do a 360 and right itself.

On 3/10/2025 at 9:47 AM, Patong2021 said:

Wait until some traitor sells the electronic codes to China.

China is probably already building 100 similar ships 🚢 on their own.

15 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

China is probably already building 100 similar ships 🚢 on their own.

Link please. You ever been on a Chinese ship? They sink with 1 hit.

41 minutes ago, mrwebb8825 said:

I know the Coast Guard have ships that will do a 360 and right itself.

They are not ships, they are self righting lifeboats the same as most lifeboats around the world.

 

USS Extreme Distraction ?