Joint Demonstration Marks First Major Collaboration Between Global Shipbuilder and U.S. Defense Technology Company 

Release From Hanwha

SEOUL — Hanwha is accelerating its entry into the U.S. market through a strategic collaboration with U.S.-based autonomy solutions company Havoc AI, following a joint technology demonstration of autonomous navigation and remote operations for maritime unmanned systems.  

On Tuesday, Havoc AI CEO Paul Lwin and members of the company’s research team visited Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje shipyard, where they reviewed Hanwha’s naval shipbuilding and maritime systems capabilities.  

Havoc AI then conducted a live demonstration in which a Havoc AI unmanned surface vessel (USV) off the coast of Hawaii was remotely controlled from Geoje, Korea.  

“Hawnha’s global defense strategy is focused on our evolution from the leading Korean aerospace company to a leading global aerospace company,” said Michael Coulter, CEO of Hanwha Global Defense. “This partnership seeks to incorporate both our technology and industrial strength with a leading U.S. technology company to create new, scalable capabilities in the U.S. while deepening the interoperability of our partners.”  

“Harnessing Hanwha Group’s maritime systems expertise and shipbuilding capabilities together with Havoc AI’s autonomy will expand the utility of existing vessels while enabling rapid fielding of new unmanned systems,” said Paul Lwin, CEO of Havoc AI.  

The partnership will aim to integrate Hanwha Ocean’s warship construction expertise; Hanwha Systems’ combat management system (CMS) and platform/system integration capabilities; and Havoc AI’s advanced autonomous navigation software to deliver deployable products and solutions. Such a move could also provide scalable solutions across the defense and maritime domains.  

Additionally, the collaboration highlights Hanwha’s commitment to investing in new technologies to expand its industrial partnership for allies across the United States, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East.  

“We will leverage Hanwha Systems’ CMS and naval platform integration strengths, along with intra-group synergies, to work with Havoc AI and make tangible inroads into the global maritime unmanned systems market spanning Korea and the United States,” said Ryu Moon-Ghee, head of the Naval Business Division at Hanwha Systems. 

Lockheed Martin will rapidly equip Saildrone USVs with all-domain defense technology for lethal military applications. 

From Saildrone, Oct. 29, 2025 

BETHESDA, Md. — Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today announced a $50 million investment in Saildrone, a global leader in maritime autonomous systems. This strategic collaboration will deliver commercially available unmanned surface vehicles (USV) equipped with lethal, combat-proven defense technology. The companies will collaborate with a goal of delivering integrations, including on-water, live fire demonstrations, in 2026. 

Why it matters 

This commercial relationship marries the world’s most sophisticated and trusted defense technology with the most capable and operationally tested USV technology. This combination will be key to realizing the US Navy’s USV vision for critical missions such as fleet defense, undersea surveillance, reconnaissance, and attack. Work will begin immediately, applying an open architecture approach along with secure command and control capability to integrate Lockheed Martin’s JAGM Quad Launcher (JQL) system onto the Saildrone Surveyor platform. 

Larger Saildrone vehicles are already in development to support significantly larger payloads and capabilities to include the Lockheed Martin Mk70 VLS launcher and thin line towed arrays. 

Expert perspectives 

Stephanie C. Hill, president, Rotary and Mission Systems, Lockheed Martin:  

“Lockheed Martin and Saildrone are leading the way to answer President Trump’s call for the defense industry to act differently and leverage the strength of all of industry for our national defense. Together, we are combining the most sophisticated commercial and defense technologies to deliver a lethal naval solution at speed and scale. The nation needs this capability to maintain dominance over our adversaries, and we will deliver it.”  

Richard Jenkins, founder and CEO, Saildrone: 

“For the last 10 years, we have focused on evolving the reliability, endurance, and autonomy of the Saildrone platform, which has been demonstrated in over 2 million nautical miles of active customer missions. With our technology proven, de-risked, and mission-ready, now is the right time to augment Saildrone USVs with sophisticated payloads to meet warfighter needs. This collaboration will give Saildrone the tools we need to transform the capabilities of our platforms, to include electronic warfare, anti-submarine warfare, sophisticated surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as deploying kinetic effects, all seamlessly integrated with Lockheed Martin’s trusted command, control, and fire control systems.” 

Additional Information 

Fast Fielding of Commercial Technology for Defense: Saildrone USVs have been accomplishing complex maritime missions in the remote ocean since 2013. First deployed by the U.S. Navy in 2021, they are currently operational today, working 24/7/365 alongside American Sailors in combat theaters around the world. This commercial relationship will harness Saildrone’s decade-plus of commercial expertise to quickly field new defense applications. Saildrone will maintain all shipbuilding responsibilities, and Lockheed Martin will serve as lead mission integrator. 

Investing Ahead of Need and Accelerating Capability: Lockheed Martin is investing in Saildrone to accelerate and de-risk deployment of urgently needed defense technologies. The investment will establish a collaborative relationship between Lockheed Martin and Saildrone systems integration teams to accelerate manufacture of new larger platforms and integrate Lockheed Martin payloads onto a variety of platforms. Lockheed Martin is also investing in its existing products to facilitate fully autonomous operations.  

Ready Now: The companies are focusing on integrating ready-now, proven capabilities with Saildrone USVs to get unmatched lethality into the hands of warfighters as soon as possible.  

Powering Economic Growth: Developing these transformational USVs will create jobs at Austal USA on the coast of the Gulf of America, where Saildrone’s larger systems are produced. However, this work is shipyard-agnostic; as we scale, it has the potential to power economic growth at all of America’s shipyards and across the wider maritime and defense industrial bases. 

Advanced jet trainer program could bring major investment and jobs to Kansas 

From Textron Aviation Defense 

WICHITA, Kan. (Oct. 28, 2025) — Textron Aviation Defense LLC, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced that if awarded the Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) program contract by the U.S. Navy, it will assemble the Beechcraft M-346N at its east campus in Wichita, Kansas — the historic home of the Beechcraft brand for nearly a century. The announcement reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering the most advanced jet integrated training system for the U.S. Navy. 

Textron Aviation Defense expects to invest more than $38 million to modernize more than 50,000 square feet of existing manufacturing space on the company’s east Wichita campus if awarded the contract. The program is expected to create an estimated 100 direct manufacturing jobs in Wichita, along with numerous indirect jobs supporting aircraft production and assembly. 

 Wichita has long been the center of innovation for Beechcraft, and we’re proud to continue that tradition as we prepare to support the Navy’s next-generation training needs. This announcement underscores our 85-year legacy of supporting the U.S. government with training aircraft from the American heartland.Travis Tyler, president & CEO, Textron Aviation Defense 

The Beechcraft M-346N is the centerpiece of a low-risk, operationally proven integrated training system featuring Live-Virtual-Constructive capabilities optimized for advanced naval training. With more than 100 M-346 aircraft produced by Leonardo and a decade of performance training aviators for fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft, the M-346N offers a reliable, high-performance solution for the Navy’s next-generation training needs. 

The U.S. Navy has issued several Requests for Information ahead of an anticipated Request for Proposals for the UJTS program. Textron Aviation Defense anticipates the Navy will announce the contract award in January 2027 and believes that it is well-positioned to support the Navy’s objective of accelerating Initial Operational Capability (IOC). 

“Textron Aviation’s decision to assemble the Beechcraft M-346N in Wichita is a testament to the world-class aviation workforce present in Kansas,” said Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas. “This aircraft is the right solution to meet the Navy’s future training requirements. I will continue my work on the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to make certain our Navy pilots have the necessary resources and equipment to support their mission. 

About the Beechcraft M-346N 

 The Beechcraft M-346N is a twin-engine, tandem-seat aircraft equipped with fully digital flight controls and avionics. It features a fly-by-wire flight control system with quadruple redundancy, a Head-Up Display and Large Area Display in each cockpit and hands-on throttle and stick (HOTAS) controls. Innovative safety features include the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto-GCAS). 

Powered by two Honeywell F124-GA-200 turbofan engines, the M-346N delivers a maximum cruise speed of more than 590 knots and a service ceiling of 45,000 feet. Its advanced aerodynamic design enables exceptional maneuverability and energy management, while the elevated rear cockpit provides instructors with excellent visibility throughout all phases of flight. 

Textron Aviation’s commitment to assembling the Beechcraft M-346N in Wichita is a testament to their rich heritage in the Air Capital of the World and their responsiveness to the needs of the United States Navy. As a steady defender of our aviation industry, I commend Textron’s leadership for investing in our skilled Kansas workforce and strengthening our military readiness.U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (Kansas) 

Secretary of the Navy John Phelan has withdrawn the service from a land swap with the District of Columbia that was to have created a home for a long-awaited new Museum of the United States Navy, the Navy’s Office of Legislative Affairs notified Congress.

“We want to notify you directly that, in consultation with the White House, the Secretary of the Navy has decided to strategically shift away from the leasing arrangement that contemplated private or mixed-use development of the O Parcel at the Washington Navy Yard in the interest of national security,” the OLA said in a statement provided to Seapower by the Naval History and Heritage Command.

“Given the sensitive work at the WNY, evolving national security threats, and a renewed focus on force protection, private development on the Washington Navy Yard property is not feasible from a national security perspective.

“This decision does not reflect a negative assessment of the land exchange, the developer [RedBrick], or the future National Museum of the Navy; instead, we are focused exclusively on the national security concerns of private development on the Washington Navy Yard. Please be assured we are committed to the future National Museum of the Navy.”

Former Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite, now chair of the Navy Museum Development Foundation that is raising money for the new museum, first made the news public at a panel discussion at the Congress of the Naval Order of the United States in Philadelphia.

In a recent edition of the Tuesday Tidings newsletter of the National Maritime Historical Society, Braithwaite said the move means fundraising is on hold until a new site can be identified.

The location of the new museum was the subject of a press briefing last October, where then-Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro and other officials, including Braithwaite, praised the location, which would have been near the Navy Yard as well as the Washington Nationals baseball stadium and the Audi Field soccer stadium.

Even had the site development continued there, it would have been a long time before anyone walked through the door. The foundation was charged with raising nearly half a billion dollars for the museum and the groundbreaking wouldn’t have been before 2030 at the earliest.

From HII, Oct. 24, 2025 

PASCAGOULA, Miss., Oct. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HII’s (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division successfully completed the second builder’s sea trials for guided missile destroyer Ted Stevens (DDG 128), building on the success of the initial trials conducted at the end of September. The Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyer spent multiple days in the Gulf of America testing the ship’s main propulsion, combat systems and other critical systems in preparation for the future acceptance trials. 

“The Ingalls and Navy team demonstrated tremendous teamwork during this trial and are fully committed to delivering DDG 128 to the fleet,” Ingalls Shipbuilding DDG Program Manager Ben Barnett said. “As we move forward, our focus remains on ensuring that every system is thoroughly tested and fully operational as we progress toward readiness for acceptance trials. I extend my gratitude to our test and trials team for their contributions to the ongoing success of the destroyer program.” 

During the second builder’s trials, the Ingalls and Navy team completed additional hull, mechanical, electrical and combat systems tests. This included testing the second-in-class Flight III AN/SPY-6 (V)1 radar system and the Aegis Baseline 10 combat system. These tests are designed to validate critical system performance and ensure the ship meets or exceeds Navy requirements. 

Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers represent the next generation of surface combatants for the U.S. Navy and incorporate a number of design modifications that collectively provide significantly enhanced capability. To date, Ingalls has delivered 35 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to the U.S. Navy, including the first Flight III, USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) and currently has five more Flight III destroyers under construction: Ted Stevens (DDG 128), Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), George M. Neal (DDG 131), Sam Nunn (DDG 133), and Thad Cochran (DDG 135), which authenticated the ship’s keel on Oct. 23. 

As the largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi, Ingalls Shipbuilding has been designing, building, and maintaining destroyers for the U.S. Navy for over 86 years. To learn more about the DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyer program at Ingalls work visit: https://hii.com/what-we-do/capabilities/guided-missile-destroyers/arleigh-burke-class/. 

From Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Oct. 27,2025     

DIEGO GARCIA, BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY — A multi-mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft (MPRA) P-8A Poseidon from Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72 joined an Indian Navy MPRA P-8I for a bilateral combined detachment and training in vicinity of Diego Garcia and the Indian Ocean, Oct. 22-28, 2025. 
 
The combined detachment saw both aircraft conduct bilateral trainings focused on antisubmarine warfare and maritime domain awareness to strengthen and refine the interoperability between the U.S. and Indian Navies. The training builds on prior interoperability exercises such as Tiger Triumph 2025, where the U.S. and Indian armed forces incorporated satellite and unmanned technologies to enhance joint communication and warfighting capabilities. The U.S.-India strategic partnership is founded on shared values including a commitment to democracy and upholding security, freedom, and prosperity. 
 
“Our P-8A crews were proud to fly alongside our Indian partners in this combined detachment,” said Capt. Rodney Erler, commodore of CTF 72. “Maritime domain awareness, which the global network of P-8 aircraft contribute to, is a critical aspect of identifying threats, traditional and non-traditional, that could threaten the stability and security in the region. By working with our allies and partners, we increase our shared maritime awareness to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.” 
 
After the arrival of the P-8I to Diego Garcia, the U.S. and Indian crews worked together on operational planning for the exercises to set the groundwork for increased enhanced information sharing, and cooperation at sea. This shore phase was concluded by a combined flight and bilateral anti-submarine and communication exercise. 
 
Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 is assigned to CTF 72, the command and control headquarters for Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft in U.S. 7th Fleet, promoting regional security and enhancement of theater security operations through multilateral engagements and providing reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities. 
 
U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. 

Release From Shield AI

WASHINGTON (October 21, 2025) — Shield AI, the deep-tech company building state-of-the-art autonomy software and aircraft, announced it provided intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support for U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/4th Fleet during UNITAS 2025, the world’s longest-running multinational maritime exercise. V-BAT, Shield AI’s Group 3 unmanned aircraft system (UAS), was deployed from USS Cooperstown (LCS 23) during the exercise, delivering consistent ISR capabilities throughout maritime training scenarios.  

Running from Sept. 15 to Oct. 3, 2025, UNITAS brought together 8,000 personnel from 25 allied and partner nations, with ships, submarines, and both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft operating across the Americas to strengthen interoperability, enhance maritime domain awareness, and advance combined readiness.  

“It was great to see V-BAT flying alongside U.S. and partner forces during UNITAS,” said Brandon Tseng, Shield AI’s Co-Founder, President and former Navy SEAL. “V-BAT has proven itself in operations across the fleet and has helped the U.S. Coast Guard and joint task forces interdict billions of dollars’ worth of narcotics. We’re excited to keep supporting U.S. and partner forces as they continue operations across the Americas.”   

Through the deployment of V-BAT, Shield AI supported in strengthening maritime domain awareness, advancing the use of autonomous systems, and improving information sharing with partners. V-BAT successfully passed both full-motion video and ViDAR wide-area search data to the Navy’s Minotaur Family of Services (MFoS). MFoS provides a shared Common Operating Picture by fusing sensor inputs from multiple platforms, ensuring that what one platform detects can be seen across the joint force and coalition — a critical enabler for faster decisions, stronger interoperability, and more effective maritime security operations. 

With its vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities, small logistics footprint and advanced wide-area search sensors, V-BAT is uniquely suited for ship-based ISR in complex maritime environments. This UNITAS deployment was in support of the Monitoring, Analysis, Reconnaissance, Logistics, Intelligence and Network Services (MARLINS) task order awarded to prime contractor SMX in support of the U.S. Southern Command.  

Release From Saronic

Saronic today commemorated the official opening of its 80,000+ square-foot facility in downtown San Diego, marking the occasion with a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event was attended by City of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, who provided remarks, as well as other local leaders, government stakeholders, and industry partners. The City has proclaimed October 21 as “Saronic Day” in recognition of the company’s contributions to the region’s defense innovation ecosystem and commitment to bring skilled jobs, economic opportunity, and technical expertise to the community. 

Driven by its strong naval presence, premiere research institutions, and robust industrial partnerships, San Diego has long been viewed as a hub for defense innovation. By opening its new downtown San Diego facility, Saronic is deepening its committed to the region’s economic revitalization while strengthening its ability to deliver autonomous maritime capabilities to its commercial and US Navy partners. Given its proximity to Navy commands, the site ensures Saronic can collaborate with defense customers to rapidly integrate feedback and provide real-time mission support of its Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs). 

“San Diego is where innovation meets service,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. “With Saronic expanding here, we’re strengthening our city’s leadership in defense technology and creating new opportunities for San Diegans to power the next generation of maritime innovation. This investment means more good jobs for San Diegans and stronger partnerships to support the men and women who serve our country.” 

Workforce Development: Training Naval Operators on Maritime Autonomy 

Saronic’s new facility in San Diego will serve in part as a training and development hub for naval and maritime operators, allowing defense and commercial customers and partners to expand their skills and expertise in maritime autonomy. Through a specialized curriculum tailored to the unique demands of autonomous maritime capabilities, Saronic is equipping sailors and mariners with the know-how to maintain and operate the hybrid fleet of the future. 

Saronic is committed to ensuring the safe and effective operation of its ASVs, as well as the development of a highly skilled and certified operator base. The company is a participant in industry- wide initiatives like the AUVSI Trusted UMS Operator Program, which establishes a common standard for training and certification of mission operators across the unmanned systems domain. This new San Diego training initiative reinforces that commitment and builds on the region’s role as a national center for workforce development in the maritime sector. 

“Saronic is partnering closely with naval leaders, operators, and partners to ensure this program not only addresses immediate technical needs but also provides opportunities for continued skills advancement and deepens the understanding of Saronic’s ASVs and autonomous capabilities,” said Nick Stoner, VP of Growth at Saronic. “San Diego is an anchor in the nation’s naval defense network, and this initiative underscores our belief that advancing technology must go hand-in-hand with investing in people – the region’s most powerful asset.” 

Investing in San Diego’s Future 

Saronic first announced its plans to establish a San Diego facility in July 2025. Since then, the space has undergone an extensive renovation, bringing on new capabilities to support its role as an operations, training, and depot facility. With this launch, the company continues to expand its local headcount, hiring across Mission Operations, Growth, Corporate Development, Mission Services, Forward-Deployed Engineering, Programs, and other functions. The company expects to add dozens of roles to its San Diego operations in the coming months. 

This investment builds on Saronic’s continued U.S. expansion, which includes large-scale manufacturing operations in Austin, Texas, and its shipbuilding facility in Franklin, Louisiana. 

From Lockheed Martin 

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 20, 2025 – Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has been awarded a $233 million firm-fixed-price contract to deliver IRST21^® Block II systems and initial spares to the U.S. Navy and Air National Guard (ANG). 

IRST21 is Lockheed Martin’s next-generation infrared search and track (IRST) sensor capability, a long-wave infrared system that passively detects and tracks airborne targets at extended ranges. By delivering longer range detection and faster target data, IRST21 Block II boosts warfighter situational awareness, cuts decision making time and keeps our armed forces mission ready to engage threats the instant they appear. 

The Block II variant, contracted under this award, features cutting edge optics, advanced processors and industry-leading algorithms that significantly increase threat-detection range and provide tracking and targeting data to support beyond-visual-range missile engagements. 

This award follows the U.S. Navy’s recent declaration of Initial Operational Capability for IRST21, which cleared the path for full-rate production of the Block II variant now entering fleet deployment. 

“IRST21 Block II delivers a game-changing leap in passive warfighting capabilities across multiple platforms,” said Cristin Stengel, IRST21 program director for Lockheed Martin. “By significantly enhancing the range and accuracy to enable weapon employment in challenging environments, this system ensures pilots remain ahead of evolving adversaries and mission-ready at all times.” 
 

On the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, IRST21 is mounted on the nose of the centerline fuel tank, complementing the aircraft’s AN/APG-79 radar to maintain effectiveness in radar-denied or heavy electronic attack environments. 

For F-15 and F-16s, IRST21 is embedded in a ready-now modular, externally mounted Legion Pod, providing ease of transportability and bringing 6^thgeneration targeting capability to 4^th generation aircraft. By operating passively without emitting a signal, the system is resistant to electronic jamming—ensuring warfighters maintain a critical advantage where survivability and reaction time are essential. 
  

From UTIC, Oct. 20,2025 

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. – The Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium (UTIC) announced today a significant milestone in its mission to advance undersea tech innovation. UTIC has now successfully facilitated the award of 100 prototype projects, with a value of over $1.4 billion.  

UTIC is the consortium for the U.S. Navy’s Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) for undersea and maritime technology, an agile and flexible procurement strategy for acquiring military technology. The OTA allows the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Newport to rapidly prototype and acquire leading-edge technologies from UTIC member organizations, accelerating innovation that meets the needs and mission of the U.S. Navy.  UTIC members represent small and large businesses, academia, and nonprofit research institutes with state-of-the-art undersea and maritime technology. 

“UTIC represents some of the most innovative organizations in the nation. Through this partnership, the Navy has fast and efficient access to leading edge undersea and maritime technology,” said Molly Donohue Magee, Chief Executive Officer at UTIC. “Our national defense is stronger thanks to this community of best-in-class experts, and our UTIC members continue to successfully compete for exciting and rewarding undersea and maritime technology opportunities in support of the Navy’s needs.” 

Since the OTA award in June 2018, prototype project awards have been distributed to 64 organizations, including 50 non-traditional defense contractors, demonstrating UTIC’s commitment to fostering innovation across diverse sectors. 

“Collaboration drives innovation, and speed is a collective imperative. Celebrating 100 prototype projects is not only as a numerical milestone—but a testament to the power of deep industry engagement,” added Mica Dolan, President and Chief Operating Officer of Advanced Technology International (ATI), UTIC’s consortium management firm. 

Successful prototypes developed under the OTA include sonar, autonomous, and communication systems essential for effective operations in the undersea environment. 

“I am pleased to note that the excellent partnership between UTIC and NUWC Newport has resulted in a milestone 100 awards through Other Transaction Authority. The continued success of this partnership has helped the Navy move forward in its mission to successfully get emerging technologies to the Fleet at a rapid pace,” said Marie Bussiere, Technical Director at NUWC, Newport. “We’ll continue to evolve and expand the undersea battlespace through the technologies that come forth through our industry partnerships.”   

About UTIC 
The Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium (UTIC) promotes the rapid development, prototyping, and commercialization of innovative undersea and maritime. UTIC represents a united undersea and maritime industry voice, breaking down barriers to growth by identifying and integrating undersea and maritime technology resources and opportunities, and providing the environment to collaborate on innovative solutions. For more information on UTIC,  visit https://www.underseatech.org/.