Key facts
- Charles Maher, a former U.S. submarine commander, is developing autonomous naval vessels.
- The system is intended to form a protective barrier off the Ukrainian coast to counter Russian drones.
- BlueShadow, founded by Maher, is working with Ukraine's defense units.
- The first squadron, armed with missiles and interceptor drones, could be operational by early 2027.
- Defence Builder is an accelerator providing funding and mentorship to defense technology startups in Ukraine.
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has seen extensive use of drones by both sides. The development of autonomous naval vessels to create a defensive barrier could offer a new strategy to mitigate drone threats along Ukraine's coast, particularly in the Black Sea region.