During the recent activities carried out within the framework of the multinational exercise UNITAS 2025, the U.S. Navy tested its Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) naval drones. These unmanned vehicles formed part of the large deployment of assets by the host nation, which included the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, amphibious units, and various aircraft from Naval Aviation and the Marines.
In August of this year, the U.S. Navy reported that it was conducting a series of trials with the new Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC). “…These vessels provide additional combat capabilities to the Fleet, complementing the traditional combat force with autonomous systems… In March 2025, the Navy partnered with Fleet stakeholders to demonstrate the ongoing launches of several GARCs from ships. In collaboration with various agencies, such as the Navy’s Unmanned Maritime Systems Program Office, Project Overmatch, and the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), teams are developing and demonstrating autonomous solutions, both governmental and industrial, to meet Fleet requirements…,” the U.S. Navy detailed.
BlackSea Technologies, the manufacturer of the GARC vessel, highlights that this naval drone is a proven solution for high-speed unmanned operations in contested maritime environments, since it “…Combines modular payload flexibility, advanced autonomy, and high endurance… Its launch and recovery methods have been tested at sea, and its control architecture supports both autonomous and remote operations with seamless integration with third-party tools. It is designed for a wide range of missions, including ISR, communications relay, and mine countermeasures…”.
With a displacement of just over two tons, the GARC naval drone has a payload capacity of about 450 kilograms. Its endurance is around 1,600 nautical miles at 5 knots, or 700 nautical miles at 22 knots (cruising speed). Its maximum speed is 40 knots, reached thanks to a 200hp engine.
The U.S. Navy incorporated the GARC drones through the Accelerated Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) program, an initiative that “…provides funding to non-traditional small businesses to support the warfighter with advanced technology. The Navy has accepted all GARCs awarded through APFIT. The APFIT GARCs have been used by multiple customers, supporting experimentation with various payloads and employment concepts…,” the U.S. Navy stated.
Since the awarding of the contract in 2024, the GARC production baseline has included various changes that provide greater range and improved reliability. “…Since then, the U.S. Navy has designed and acquired common modular housings that contain communications and computing equipment, and are expandable to support future capabilities…”.
The participation of the GARC drone system in UNITAS 2025 is one of many examples of how unmanned platforms continue to gain ground in different roles, particularly following the combat experiences observed in recent years.
*Cover image: U.S. Navy
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