The US Navy is planning to invest $6bn in unmanned platforms as part of the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP), reports Janes.com.

Of the five-year budget projection, $4bn will be spent on unmanned aerial vehicles and $1bn for both unmanned surface platforms and unmanned underwater vehicles, according to Deputy Chief of Staff of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources Vice-Admiral Barry McCullough III, speaking at the Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) conference in Washington DC .

The programme is a part of unmanned systems vision through to 2030 to imbed aerial drones in day-to-day maritime operations, the navy official added.

The navy is also interested in developing fully autonomous systems, which can operate in shallow waters and challenging environments such as the Antarctic.

Naval Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Naval Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Virtualitics has secured the Innovation and Business Expansion awards for its Integrated Readiness Optimization (IRO) suite. Discover how its explainable AI is transforming maintenance, sustainment and mission readiness, giving defence leaders faster, clearer, and more confident operational decisions.

Discover the Impact