{{Short description|Autonomous unmanned surface vehicle launched in 2016}} {{About|the drone ship|other uses|Sea Hunters (disambiguation){{!}}Sea Hunters}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}} {{Infobox ship <!-- warships except submarines --> | display_title = ital | infobox_caption = ''Sea Hunter'' |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = USV Sea Hunter - RIMPAC 2022 Fleet Sails in Formation.jpg | image_caption = ''Sea Hunter'' under way in RIMPAC 2022 exercises }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | country = United States | flag = {{shipboxflag|USA|naval}} | name = ''Sea Hunter'' | namesake = | awarded = | builder = {{Unbulleted list | Leidos | Christensen Shipyards | Vigor Industrial }} | laid_down = | completed = | acquired = April 2016 | commissioned = | decommissioned = | in_service = | out_of_service = | struck = | identification = *{{MMSI Number|369970970}} | fate = | status = in service<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/3031832/navy-increases-unmanned-capabilities-with-newly-established-unmanned-surface-di/ |title=Navy Increases Unmanned Capabilities with Newly Established Unmanned Surface Division |website=United States Navy}}</ref> | notes = }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = | type = Unmanned surface vehicle | displacement = 135 tons (standard) 145 tons (full load) | length = {{convert|132|ft|m|abbr=on}} | beam = | draft = | depth = | hold_depth = | propulsion = 2x Diesel engines | speed = {{convert|27|kn|lk=in}} | range = {{convert|10,000|nmi|mi km}} | endurance = 30–90 day without supply | complement = None | armament = None | armor = | notes = }} }}
'''''Sea Hunter''''' is an autonomous unmanned surface vehicle (USV) launched in 2016 as part of the DARPA Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) program.<ref name=verge-2016apr8>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/4/8/11391840/us-navy-autonomous-ship-sea-hunter-christened |last=Vincent |first=James |title=The US Navy's new autonomous warship is called the Sea Hunter |publisher=The Verge |date=8 April 2016 |access-date=12 April 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412095515/http://www.theverge.com/2016/4/8/11391840/us-navy-autonomous-ship-sea-hunter-christened |archive-date=12 April 2016}}</ref> The ship was christened 7 April 2016 in Portland, Oregon. It was designed and built by Leidos,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lagrone |first=Sam |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Navy Takes Delivery of Sea Hawk Unmanned Vessel |url=https://news.usni.org/2021/04/08/navy-takes-delivery-of-sea-hawk-unmanned-vessel}}</ref> with manufacturing subcontracted to Christensen Shipyards (and later Vigor Industrial after Christensen went into receivership).<ref name=Naval-Technology.com>{{cite web |title=Sea Hunter ASW Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) |website=Naval-Technology.com |date=17 April 2016 |url=https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/sea-hunter-asw-continuous-trail-unmanned-vessel-actuv/ |access-date=27 August 2025}}</ref><ref name=USNI>{{cite web |last=Rosamond |first=Jon |title=DSEI: Navy Poised to Order Second Vessel for ACTUV Sea Hunter Test Program |url=https://news.usni.org/2017/09/15/dsei-navy-poised-order-second-vessel-actuv-sea-hunter-test-program |website=news.usni.org |publisher=US Naval Institute |date=15 September 2017 |access-date=13 May 2019}}</ref> The vessel continues the line of experimental "Sea" ships, including ''Sea Shadow'', ''Sea Fighter'', ''Sea Jet'', and ''Sea Slice''.<ref name="copybook11april16">[http://www.copybook.com/military/news/darpa-s-autonomous-sub-tracker DARPA’s Autonomous Sub-Tracker] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508193036/http://www.copybook.com/military/news/darpa-s-autonomous-sub-tracker |date=2016-05-08 }} - Copybook.com.Military, 11 April 2016</ref> ''Sea Hunter'' is classified as a Class III USV and designated the '''Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vehicle''' ('''MDUSV''').<ref name="defensesystems4may17">[https://defensesystems.com/articles/2017/05/04/seahunter.aspx Navy anti-submarine drone-ship conducts minehunting testing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423072541/https://defensesystems.com/articles/2017/05/04/seahunter.aspx |date=April 23, 2019 }} - Defensesystems.com, 4 May 2017</ref>
==Description== The initially unarmed prototype, built at a cost of $20 million, is a 132-foot (40 meter)-long trimaran (a central hull with two outriggers). It is an unmanned self-piloting craft with twin screws, powered by two diesel engines with a top speed of {{convert|27|knot|mph km/h}}. Her weight is 135 tons, including 40 tons of fuel, adequate for a 70-day cruise. Cruising range is "transoceanic,"<ref name="oreg-2016apr7">{{cite news |last=Njus |first=Elliot |date=7 April 2016 |title=The military's Oregon-built drone ship is headed to California |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2016/04/sea_hunter_the_militarys_orego.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410112530/http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2016/04/sea_hunter_the_militarys_orego.html |archive-date=10 April 2016 |access-date=8 April 2016 |newspaper=The Oregonian}}</ref> {{convert|10,000|nmi|mi km}} at {{convert|12|knot|mph km/h}}<ref name="dod-2016apr8">{{cite press release |url=http://www.defense.gov/News-Article-View/Article/716156/work-robot-warship-demonstrates-advances-in-autonomy-human-machine-collaboration |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |author=Pellerin, Cheryl |title=Work: Robot warship demonstrates advances in autonomy, human-machine collaboration |date=8 April 2016 |access-date=12 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421011353/http://www.defense.gov/News-Article-View/Article/716156/work-robot-warship-demonstrates-advances-in-autonomy-human-machine-collaboration |archive-date=21 April 2016}}</ref> fully fueled with {{convert|14000|USgal|liters}} of diesel, enough "to go from San Diego to Guam and back to Pearl Harbor on a tank of gas."<ref>[http://www.c4isrnet.com/articles/actuv-on-track-for-navy-success-story ACTUV on track for Navy success story] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231170052/http://www.c4isrnet.com/articles/actuv-on-track-for-navy-success-story |date=2016-12-31 }} - C4ISRnet.com, 21 December 2016</ref> ''Sea Hunter'' has a full load displacement of 145 tons and is intended to be operational through Sea State 5, waves up to {{convert|6.5|ft|m|abbr=on}} high and winds up to {{convert|21|knots|mph km/h}}, and survivable through Sea State 7, seas up to {{convert|20|ft|m|abbr=on}} high.<ref name="defensenews7april16">{{cite news |url=https://www.defensenews.com/story/defense-news/2016/04/07/darpa-actuv-sea-hunter-test-antisubmarine-warfare-asw-drone-unmanned-vigor-portland-onr-naval-research/82744862/ |title=Unmanned Sub-Hunter To Begin Test Program |author=Christopher P. Cavas |publisher=Gannett |work=Defense News |date=7 April 2016 |access-date=8 April 2016}}</ref> The trimaran hull provides increased stability without requiring a weighted keel, giving her a higher capacity for linear trajectories and better operations in shallow waters, though the greater width decreases maneuverability.<ref name="defensesystems4may17"/>
A removable operator control station is installed during the testing period "for safety and backup" until it can be determined to reliably operate on her own. Operationally, computers will drive and control the ship, with a human always observing and taking charge if necessary in a concept called Sparse Supervisory Control, meaning a person is in control, but not "joy sticking" the vessel around.<ref name="defensenews7april16"/> The system can patrol without human guidance, using optical guidance and radar to avoid hitting obstacles or other watercraft.<ref name="reuters-2016apr8">{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-military-robot-ship-idUSKCN0X42I4 |last=Stewart |first=Phil |title=U.S. military christens self-driving 'Sea Hunter' warship |publisher=Reuters |date=8 April 2016 |access-date=12 April 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412012618/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-military-robot-ship-idUSKCN0X42I4 |archive-date=12 April 2016}}</ref> The ship has a host of non-standard features because of her lack of crew, including an internal layout that offers enough room for maintenance to be performed but not for any people to be permanently present.<ref name="copybook11april16"/>
The craft is expected to undergo two years of testing before being placed in service with the U.S. Navy. If tests are successful, future craft of this type may be armed and used for anti-submarine and counter-mine duties, operating at a cost of $15,000–20,000 per day, a fraction of the cost of a destroyer at $700,000 per day (in 2015, {{Inflation|US|700,000|2015|fmt=eq}});<ref name="reuters-2016apr8"/><ref>[http://science.dodlive.mil/2015/11/09/actuv-sea-trials-set-for-early-2016/ ACTUV Sea Trials Set for Early 2016] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114001735/http://science.dodlive.mil/2015/11/09/actuv-sea-trials-set-for-early-2016/ |date=2015-11-14 }} - Science.DoDlive.mil, 9 November 2015</ref> it could operate with Littoral Combat Ships, becoming an extension of the LCS ASW module.<ref name="defensenews7april16"/> Deputy U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Work said that if weapons are added to the ship, a human would always remotely make the decision to use lethal force.<ref name="newsweek-2016apr8">{{cite news |url=http://www.newsweek.com/sea-hunter-navy-robotic-warship-445523 |last=Westcott |first=Lucy |title=Meet Sea Hunter, the U.S.Navy's robotic, self-driving warship |magazine=Newsweek |date=8 April 2016 |access-date=12 April 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412091239/http://www.newsweek.com/sea-hunter-navy-robotic-warship-445523 |archive-date=12 April 2016}}</ref>
Following successful initial development, it was reported on 1 February 2018 that DARPA had handed development of ''Sea Hunter'' to the Office of Naval Research (ONR).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/ACTUV_Sea_Hunter_Prototype_Transitions_to_Office_of_Naval_Research_for_Further_Development_999.html |title=ACTUV |publisher=}}</ref>
==Sea trials and operations== [[File:Sea Hunter gets underway on the Willamette River following a christening ceremony in Portland, Ore. (25702146834).jpg|thumb|''Sea Hunter'' gets underway on the Willamette River following a christening ceremony in Portland, Oregon, in April 2016]] On 22 June 2016, ''Sea Hunter'' completed initial performance trials, meeting or surpassing all performance objectives for speed, maneuverability, stability, seakeeping, acceleration/deceleration, fuel consumption, and mechanical systems reliability in the open-ocean. Upcoming trials will include testing of sensors, the vessel's autonomy suite, compliance with maritime collision regulations, and proof-of-concept demonstrations for a variety of U.S. Navy missions.<ref>[http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4245 Leidos completes initial performance tests of highly autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessel] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807002340/http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4245 |date=2016-08-07 }} - Navyrecognition.com, 27 July 2016</ref> ''Sea Hunter'' was sent to the ONR in summer 2017 for operational testing and evaluation for mine-countermeasure, EO/IR, and submarine detection capabilities. Plans for FY 2018 include adding intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and offensive anti-submarine payloads.<ref name="defensesystems4may17"/>
In August 2022, ''Sea Hunter'' and other unmanned vessels {{usv|Nomad}} and {{usv|Ranger}} (Ghost Fleet Overlord) participated in the Rim of the Pacific exercise (RIMPAC).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Eckstein |first=Megan |title=US Navy injects first-of-kind unmanned experiments into multinational exercise |url=https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2022/08/08/us-navy-injects-first-of-kind-unmanned-experiments-into-multinational-exercise/ |work=Defense News |date=2022-08-08 |access-date=2022-11-03}}</ref>
In 2026, ''Sea Hunter'' and {{usv|Seahawk}}, both ''Sea Hunter''-class USVs, of Surface Development Group One, would be deployed operationally by the U.S. Navy, as the first division of USVs.<ref> {{cite web |url= https://thedefensepost.com/2026/01/19/us-navy-usvs/ |title= US Navy to Deploy First Medium Unmanned Surface Vessels |author= Jodesz Gavilan |date= 19 January 2026 |publisher= The Defense Post }} </ref><ref name=USN-FactFiles-MUSV-4288073/><ref name=Leidos-20210527/>
==Influence== It has been reported in 2020 and confirmed in 2024 that the People's Republic of China was building clones of ''Sea Hunter''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sutton |first1=H I |title=New evidence of China's Copy of U.S. Navy Sea Hunter USV |url=https://www.hisutton.com/Chinese-Navy-Sea-Hunter-USV.html |website=www.hisutton.com |publisher=HI Sutton |access-date=16 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Sutton |first1=H I |title=China Builds World's Largest Uncrewed Warship|url=https://www.hisutton.com/Chinese-JARI-USV-A.html|website=www.hisutton.com |publisher=HI Sutton |access-date=24 November 2025}}</ref>
A sister ship, the USV ''Seahawk'', of the ''Sea Hunter'' USV class, was built. Making the class consist of ''Sea Hunter'' and ''Seahawk''.<ref name=USN-FactFiles-MUSV-4288073> {{cite web |url= https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/4288073/medium-unmanned-surface-vessel-musv/ |title= Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) |date= 27 August 2025 |publisher= U.S. Navy }} </ref><ref name=Leidos-20210527> {{cite web |url= https://www.leidos.com/insights/seahawk-joins-surface-development-squadron-one |title= Seahawk joins Surface Development Squadron One |date= 27 May 2021 |publisher= Leidos }} </ref>
==See also== *''JARI USV''
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{youtube |doi9oBeNd38|DARPA ACTUV Sea Hunter - Christening}}
Category:Unmanned surface vehicles of the United States Category:Experimental ships of the United States Navy Category:DARPA projects Category:Ships built in Portland, Oregon Category:2016 ships Category:Autonomous ships