BlackSea’s New MASC USVs Aim to Revolutionize U.S. Naval Fleet Operations

BlackSea Technologies, a leader in autonomous maritime systems, has announced the development of its new Modular Attack Surface Craft (MASC) family of unmanned surface vessels (USVs). Designed specifically to meet the U.S. Navy’s growing demand for modular, multi-mission combatants, the MASC program represents a major step toward a more flexible and distributed future fleet.

Submitted under Solicitation N00024-25-R-6314, BlackSea’s proposal delivers a mission-focused, production-ready solution built to accelerate the Navy’s transition to a resilient, easily reconfigurable force structure. The company’s 66-foot aluminum catamaran design stands out as a purpose-built vessel—engineered from the keel up to support a wide range of combat and support missions.

In July 2025, the U.S. Navy invited industry partners to develop modular surface vessels capable of performing diverse operations such as anti-surface warfare, strike missions, electronic warfare, mine countermeasures, and logistics—using containerized payloads that can be rapidly swapped and reconfigured. BlackSea’s MASC platform is designed not only to meet these requirements but to exceed them.

Mission-Driven Design

Unlike converted commercial vessels, BlackSea’s MASC USV was built entirely around mission adaptability. It delivers 67,200 pounds of payload capacity, 900 square feet of open deck space, and 198 kWe of electrical power, supporting advanced sensors and weapon systems. With a range of 3,000 nautical miles at 10 knots—extendable to 10,000 nm for self-deploying missions—and a top speed of 25 knots, it provides both endurance and agility.

The platform supports seven mission configurations right out of the box, including Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), Electronic Warfare/ISR, Logistics, Infrastructure Monitoring, Strike, and Mine Warfare (MCM/MIW).

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“Our approach starts with the mission, not the platform,” said Todd Greene, Deputy Director of Advanced Technology at BlackSea. “We designed a flexible, modular combatant that can evolve with the Fleet and be built at scale today, not years from now.”

Production-Ready and Scalable

Building on its successful Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) line—currently producing one craft per day at its Baltimore facility—BlackSea is ready to deliver the first fully integrated MASC prototype within six months. The new vessel shares core subsystems with the proven GARC design, ensuring supply chain stability and seamless integration of autonomy, command, and control systems.

The MASC’s twin-hull aluminum design combines low drag with exceptional stability, allowing for safe deployment and recovery of containerized payloads. The craft is powered by dual Volvo Penta D8-IPS600 propulsion units, supported by a global service network. Built on the Navy’s Unmanned Maritime Autonomy Architecture (UMAA) framework, the vessel allows plug-and-play autonomy upgrades and eliminates vendor lock-in.

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A Step Toward the Navy’s Future Fleet

The Navy’s MASC initiative consolidates its earlier large and medium USV programs, aiming to distribute combat power more effectively across a connected fleet. By blending proven production methods with mission-tailored autonomy, BlackSea’s MASC offers the Navy faster delivery, higher adaptability, and a sustainable path to scaling unmanned operations.