The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and Serco have completed the construction of the first No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) prototype, marking a major step in autonomous naval technology.
The NOMARS program aims to develop a fleet of medium-sized unmanned vessels for the US Navy, designed to transport payloads with zero human intervention or mission systems.
The “USX Defiant” will soon begin rigorous dockside and theater-based waterborne trials to evaluate its multi-mission capabilities, starting this spring.
“This milestone represents a significant leap in autonomous ship design and operational philosophy, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in naval technology,” Serco stated.
NOMARS Development Milestones
In December 2024, DARPA completed its first at-sea refueling test under the NOMARS program, successfully demonstrating drone ships “Ranger” and “Mariner” performing key tasks such as passing, probe connection, and pumping.
In 2022, DARPA contracted Serco to design the USX Defiant using software-generated hull concepts ranging from 170 to 270 metric tonnes (374,786 to 595,248 pounds).
The Defiant was ultimately built at 210 metric tonnes (462,971 pounds), with hybrid power generators and a 15-knot speed (17 miles/28 kilometers per hour).
“The NOMARS program aims to challenge the traditional naval architecture model,” DARPA said regarding the Defiant’s completion.
“The program intends to demonstrate significant advantages, to include: size, cost, at-sea reliability, greater hydrodynamic efficiency, survivability to sea-state, and survivability to adversary actions through stealth considerations and tampering resistance.”
