Upcoming Assessment Event for Unmanned Surface Vehicles by USSOCOM
SOFWERX, in collaboration with the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Program Executive Office–Maritime (PEO-M), is set to host an assessment event from November 2 to 20, 2026. This event will provide Special Operations Forces operators and Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) vendors with opportunities for collaboration, hands-on experimentation, and assessment. The data collected during these events will inform the development of the USV Mission-Aligned Reference Architecture (MARA).
The initiative aims to identify technologically mature USV platforms that align with contemporary Design Reference Missions (DRMs). It will also gather data on common platform features, technical trade-offs, and integration opportunities. The information collected will be crucial for improving interoperability, accelerating capability integration, and minimizing unnecessary costs and redundant platform development across government and industry efforts.
The primary focus is to assess USV solutions aligned with two specific DRMs through collaboration and hands-on experimentation with SOF operators and USV vendors. The first DRM is Escort, which involves a USV that can accompany and support a manned vessel during maritime transit and maneuver. This USV should maintain a relative position and contribute to the awareness, tracking, response, and defense of the supported vessel. It should also be configurable for US Navy Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) cradle and davit launch/recovery and be modular to accept various government-furnished payloads.
The second DRM is Interceptor, which requires a USV capable of rapid launch and high-speed transit toward a designated area. Similar to the Escort, this USV should be modular to accommodate a variety of government-furnished payloads, with compatibility with the USSOCOM Universal Launch and Recovery System (ULRS) being desirable but not mandatory.
Technical Insights for Future USV Development
Additionally, the government seeks to gather technical and operational insights that will inform MARA development. This includes considerations for payload integration, power, cooling, topside design, communications, autonomy, and supportability. The government is also interested in Electronic Support/Electronic Attack (ES/EA)-enabling platform characteristics for future mission applications. However, these ES/EA considerations are not the primary basis for Escort or Interceptor selection.
Final Brief
Vendors may submit platforms that do not meet one or more minimum criteria, but they must identify each unmet minimum, provide current demonstrated performance, and describe any planned path to minimum performance. The government will evaluate submissions based on overall DRM alignment, technical maturity, operational suitability, and assessment value. USVs with a proven history of seaworthiness and reliability will be rated highly.
Offerors may submit solutions aligned with either Escort, Interceptor, or both. The deadline for submissions is October 7, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. For more details, visit the event page at events.sofwerx.org/peo-m-unmanned-surface-vehicle-usv.
