The Suitable Warfighting Adaptive Payloads<\/a> (SWAP)-USV initiative offers up to $40 million in awards at this stage. It seeks mature autonomous vessels equipped with hard-kill weapons, sensors, and interoperable control systems to counter low-cost drones and helicopters.<\/p>\n The USVs must be capable of deployment within 120 days to address a gap in the US Navy\u2019s air defense capabilities.<\/p>\n The initiative aims to provide a more cost-effective response to inexpensive aerial threats, which can be uneconomical to engage with the service\u2019s existing weapons.<\/p>\n Demonstrations Next Year<\/strong><\/p>\n According to DIU\u2019s requirements<\/a>, participating vessels must sustain a cruising speed of at least 10 knots (12 miles\/19 kilometers per hour), engage targets at ranges exceeding 3 nautical miles (3 miles\/6 kilometers), and achieve a minimum operational range of 200 nautical miles (230 miles\/370 kilometers per hour).<\/p>\n Preferred loadouts include Longbow Hellfire<\/a>, Joint Air-Ground Missiles<\/a>, Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems<\/a>, Stinger missiles<\/a>, or high-power lasers<\/a>.<\/p>\n DIU is expected to accept submissions through late November, with in-water testing scheduled for early 2027 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek in Virginia.<\/p>\n Shortlisted industry partners will be required to demonstrate their integrated platforms within 30 days of selection.<\/p>\n Up to $200M in Follow-On Contracts<\/strong><\/p>\n The broader SWAP-USV challenge<\/a> is being conducted in collaboration with the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems, which was recently established<\/a> to oversee unmanned systems efforts.<\/p>\n The initiative is planned to run for 12 months and is backed by $100 million in funding.<\/p>\n Beyond the current phase\u2019s $40 million award pool, the government has allocated $200 million for potential follow-on prototype or production contracts.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.fie.undef.edu.ar\/ceptm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/8360881-scaled-1-800x430-1.jpg\")