In the Media
US Naval Institute

The Manned–Unmanned Surface Force Is Here

bryan_clark
bryan_clark
Bryan Clark
Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Defense Concepts and Technology
Bryan Clark
In the Media
An unmanned surface vehicle (USV) sails off the coast of Key West, Fla., during the annual Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) 2026 event, April 24, 2026. Hosted by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet April 24-30, the exercise integrates commercially developed unmanned systems and artificial intelligence with traditional manned naval platforms. FLEX 2026 features comprehensive collaboration across the Department of War and industry to demonstrate a sophisticated kill chain that successfully found, tr
An unmanned surface vehicle sails off the coast of Key West, Florida, on April 24, 2026. (US Navy)

Bryan Clark appears on a US Naval Institute podcast to discuss how the United States Navy is rapidly integrating unmanned surface vessels and autonomous systems into the fleet. He examines how manned–unmanned teaming is transforming naval operations, force structure, and the future of maritime warfare.

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