The MASC initiative will employ an innovative acquisition strategy, using Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) to streamline development and encourage commercial off-the-shelf technologies. This flexible approach aims to reduce costs and accelerate deployment through incremental development phases.
“The MASC programme represents a significant step forward in the Navy’s pursuit of a robust and adaptable unmanned surface fleet,” stated Capt. Matthew Lewis, programme manager for the Unmanned Maritime Systems programme office. “This innovative approach to acquisition, coupled with a modular design philosophy, will provide the fleet with cost-effective and highly capable platforms to address the challenges of the 21st-century maritime environment.”
MASC will integrate core features from the Navy’s Medium and Large Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) programmes into a single, adaptable platform. The design will support a range of missions, including anti-surface warfare, strike operations, and information missions, with provisions for future capabilities.
“By uniting advanced modular design with rapid, cost-effective acquisition strategies, MASC will transform our surface fleet’s capabilities—enabling distributed lethality and enhanced battlespace awareness across multiple mission domains,” said Melissa Kirkendall, acting Program Executive Officer for Unmanned and Small Combatants.
The Navy views MASC as a response to shifting geopolitical and technological dynamics, aiming to ensure operational readiness in contested environments. The platform is expected to enhance the Navy’s resilience and effectiveness by supporting a more distributed and capable force.
The programme is managed by the Program Executive Office Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC), which oversees the development and maintenance of the Navy’s unmanned maritime systems and related platforms. PEO USC’s remit also includes mine warfare, expeditionary warfare, special warfare systems, small boats and craft, and small surface combatants.
