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13h ago

Navy Demonstrates Towable Robotic Refueling for Unmanned Surface Vessel

Transferring 400 gallons across roughly 100 connection cycles, the exercise shows refueling can extend drone-boat endurance for long-range weapons testing.

A U.S. Navy T38 unmanned surface vessel, left, approaches a towable capture and connection device, center, towed by USNS Vindicator (TSV-5), right, during an Aug. 11 refueling demonstration off Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia. Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division’s Blue Water Instrumentation program led the demonstration, part of an effort to keep unmanned vessels on station longer during long-range weapons testing. (Photo: U.S. Navy)
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Overview

  • In August 2026 the Navy ran repeated capture–refuel–release exercises off Virginia that moved about 400 gallons of fuel to a T38 unmanned surface vessel over roughly 100 connection cycles.
  • The USNS Vindicator towed a Sealartec capture-and-connection device that mated with the T38’s refueling probe to complete the full-cycle drills at sea and at the pier.
  • The sequence was semi-autonomous and still required operator intervention, and Navy leaders say the next milestone is a fully autonomous end-to-end rendezvous, connect, refuel, disconnect, and return sequence that needs finer relative maneuvering and improved local positioning.
  • Program sponsors credited rapid Navy–industry work that took the concept to on-water testing in seven months, with partners including Sealartec and Maritime Tactical Systems and support from multiple Naval Surface Warfare Centers and fleet offices.
  • The tests aim to keep USVs on station longer to collect data for hypersonic and long-range fires trials and to let the Navy operate unmanned vessels deeper into higher-threat areas without risking crews, building on the T38’s May 192-hour autonomous endurance demonstration.