[Discussion] Navy Deploys Autonomous Seahawk With Carrier Strike Group for First Time

First Carrier Group Deployment

The U.S. Navy has deployed an ocean-going autonomous vessel with an aircraft carrier strike group for the first time. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed on October 14, 2026, that the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group left San Diego with Leidos’ Seahawk medium unmanned surface vessel.

The carrier departed September 27 under Rear Adm. Marcos Jasso, bound for the Western Pacific before a planned Middle East deployment. The Theodore Roosevelt, cruiser USS Chosin and destroyer USS Decatur arrived at Yokosuka, Japan, on October 16 ahead of Exercise Keen Sword 2027.

The deployment will assess whether Seahawk can maintain navigation, communications, replenishment, and operational availability alongside crewed warships during an extended carrier mission. Theodore Roosevelt personnel previously operated the vessel near Hawaii during RIMPAC 2026.

Vessel Specifications

Seahawk is a roughly 42-meter composite trimaran displacing about 147 metric tonnes. Its two outriggers provide transverse stability, while its diesel propulsion system draws from a 53,000-liter, or 14,000-gallon, fuel capacity.

Its predecessor, Sea Hunter, reached 27 knots, cruised at 12 knots, and had a reference range of 10,000 nautical miles. However, Seahawk’s independently verified maximum speed, fuel consumption with mission equipment, and deployment endurance have not been disclosed, so Sea Hunter’s figures cannot be applied directly.

The program’s original endurance target was 30 to 90 days, with operations in Sea State 5 and survival in Sea State 7, where waves can reach 6.1 meters.

Autonomous Operations

Seahawk’s autonomy system integrates radar, optical sensors, route planning, propulsion controls, and collision avoidance. Onboard computers conduct routine navigation under remote human supervision, while predefined exclusion areas permit automatic course changes near restricted waters.

The vessel has demonstrated waypoint navigation during a loss of GPS and restored satellite positioning without leaving its assigned track. Redundant communications are intended to preserve supervision if a primary link fails, although the duration of the GPS interruption and the associated navigation error were not reported.

Earlier fleet experiments included Integrated Battle Problem events in 2023, trans-Pacific movements and operations near Australia involving Seahawk, Sea Hunter, Ranger and Mariner. Leidos reports more than 200,000 nautical miles and 14,000 operating hours across its autonomous maritime systems, but has not specified Seahawk’s individual share.

Refueling and Fleet Support

Sustained operations still require conventional logistical support. The fleet oiler USNS Guadalupe refueled Seahawk off Southern California in April 2026, followed by a September 11 trial with USS Chafee in the Pacific.

Both tests transferred fuel through a hose and required personnel to board Seahawk temporarily. They demonstrated compatibility with underway replenishment rather than fully autonomous refueling. The Navy has not disclosed the amount transferred or the additional endurance provided.

The deployment will therefore examine not only vessel performance but also the escort maneuvering, personnel transfers, maintenance, and coordination required to keep an unmanned ship operating with a carrier group.

Development and Operational Limits

Seahawk originated from DARPA’s Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel program, launched in 2010. Leidos received $59 million in 2012 to develop Sea Hunter and a separate $35.5 million contract in 2017 for Seahawk. The combined $94.5 million represents development spending, not a recurring production price.

Delivered on April 7, 2021, Seahawk incorporated more than 300 lessons involving electrical systems, payload integration, and remote controls. It entered the operational fleet in April 2026.

An unmanned surveillance vessel could monitor maritime approaches or suspected submarine areas while armed escorts remain in defensive positions. Seahawk has not, however, demonstrated an operational ability to engage submarines or surface targets independently. Its usefulness depends on installed sensors, communications reliability, tracking accuracy, and the support burden observed during the deployment.

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