Key facts
- Onomichi Dockyard will mass-produce uncrewed surface vessels.
- The company intends to supply these drone boats to the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military.
- Liquid Robotics, a Boeing subsidiary, previously sold 20 unmanned surface vehicles to Japan for $25 million.
- Saronic Technologies, a defense tech startup, raised $1.75 billion, valuing the company at $9.25 billion.
- Saronic is expanding its shipyard capacity and building a new facility called Port Alpha.
Japan's Onomichi Dockyard is set to begin the mass production of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), with the goal of supplying these drone boats to both the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military. This initiative signifies a strategic move by commercial shipbuilders into dual-use technologies that serve both civilian and military purposes.
This development aligns with a growing global demand for autonomous maritime systems. Liquid Robotics, a subsidiary of Boeing, previously secured a $25 million contract with the U.S. Air Force to supply 20 of its Wave Glider USVs to Japan. These solar and wave-powered vessels are designed for long-endurance surveillance, capable of operating autonomously for up to 12 months and covering vast distances.
Meanwhile, the autonomous surface vessel market is experiencing significant growth, evidenced by Saronic Technologies' recent $1.75 billion Series D funding round, which valued the company at $9.25 billion. Saronic plans to use this investment to expand its shipyard in Franklin, Louisiana, and construct a new, larger facility named Port Alpha. The company is increasing its production capacity to meet demand from various customers, including the U.S. Navy, which is actively integrating autonomous surface vessels into its fleet.
The utility of drone boats has been demonstrated in recent global conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict involving Iran. The U.S. Navy is shifting its strategy for acquiring medium unmanned surface vessels to a marketplace model that emphasizes existing, mature technologies, encouraging companies to deliver solutions rapidly.