In a new step toward expanding the use of autonomous technologies in the naval domain, the U.S. company Blue Water Autonomy announced the start of construction of the first of the new Liberty-class autonomous logistics vessels for the U.S. Navy. The program, developed in partnership with the Dutch consortium Damen Shipyards, represents a strategic advance in the large-scale adoption of unmanned systems by combining a proven design, operational autonomy, and serial production capability. According to the planned schedule, construction of the first vessel will begin in March 2026 at Conrad Shipyard in Louisiana, with delivery expected by the end of the same year.
Liberty-class vessels will measure 60 meters in length, feature a steel hull, and have a range exceeding 10,000 nautical miles, with the capacity to carry more than 150 tons of payload. Designed to operate for months without a crew, they will be prepared to conduct logistics, sensing, and combat-support missions, integrating as complementary units alongside the crewed ships of the U.S. fleet. The program aims to strengthen naval operational capacity through a rapidly producible platform adaptable to multiple configurations and supported by existing domestic infrastructure and supply chains.
The Liberty-class design is based on Damen’s Stan Patrol 6009 hull, recognized for its vertical “Axe Bow” configuration, a feature that allows the vessel to cut through waves more efficiently, reducing pitch and improving seakeeping in adverse conditions. With more than 300 vessels of this type in service worldwide, the design offers proven performance that lowers technical risks and enables Blue Water Autonomy to focus its engineering efforts on internal reconfiguration for autonomous operation.
Development of the Liberty class required a comprehensive reengineering of mechanical, electrical, and propulsion systems, incorporating automated fault-management systems to enable extended operations with minimal human intervention. This integration of hardware, software, and artificial intelligence transforms the vessel into a highly autonomous platform capable of sustained long-range ocean operations in demanding environments. In this regard, Blue Water Autonomy CEO Rylan Hamilton stated: “The Liberty class reflects our commitment to building autonomous ships designed from the outset to operate for long periods and to be produced at scale.”
The agreement between Blue Water Autonomy and Damen Shipyards is being carried out under the Damen Technical Cooperation (DTC) model, through which the Dutch shipbuilder licenses its designs to partner builders worldwide. This framework, successfully applied in both commercial and government programs, enables the use of local capabilities for the production of complex vessels. In this context, Conrad Shipyard will employ advanced welding and automated assembly processes to support serial production of between ten and twenty Liberty vessels per year, consolidating a scalable and efficient industrial model for the U.S. Navy.
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