Damen and Blue Water Autonomy announce license agreement for Liberty Class autonomous ship for the US Navy. * Maritime * Posted On Feb 11, 2026 Damen Shipyards Group has announced a license agreement with Blue Water Autonomy, a Boston-based technology and shipbuilding company. Under the agreement, Blue Water Autonomy will construct its first vessel, the Liberty Class. Designed by the two companies in partnership, Liberty is a 60-m steel autonomous ship with a range of over 10,000 nautical miles and over 150 tonnes of payload capacity. Construction is scheduled to begin at Conrad Shipyard in March 2026. The first vessel is expected to be completed for the US Navy later this year under a program of record. As the US Navy looks to expand fleet capacity, accelerating the deployment of unmanned systems that complement traditional crewed ships has become a critical effort. Liberty's design supports a range of missions, including missile, sensor, and logistics payloads, and offers the Navy a ship immediately producible with existing US shipyards and commercial supply chains. Proven design. The Liberty class will be built on Damen's Stan Patrol 6009 hull design. Blue Water selected the design due to its Axe Bow, a distinctive, vertical bow that slices cleanly through the waves, minimizing slamming and allowing more gradual wave re-entry. With over 300 Axe Bow vessels operating globally, the hull shape offers proven performance. The proven design reduces technical risk, allowing Blue Water to focus engineering on re-architecting the vessel's internal systems for autonomous operation. The resulting platform retains the hull's performance, payload capacity, and seakeeping characteristics, while supporting months-long deployment and serial production. The Axe Bow design offers unprecedented seakeeping characteristics. This hull shape has been patented by Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, and the exclusive right of use has been granted to Damen Shipyards, which has been involved in the research and development phase. The license fee and additional contribution for every ship that uses this hull shape are reinvested in Research at Delft University by the Collaborative Axe Bow fund, founded by Damen and Delft University of Technology. "The Liberty class reflects our focus on building autonomous ships that are designed from the start for long-duration operations and repeat production," said Rylan Hamilton, CEO of Blue Water Autonomy. "By adapting a proven hull and re-engineering it for unmanned operations, we're delivering a vessel that can operate for extended periods without crew while being produced at a pace the Navy urgently needs. This is a modern take on an old idea: building capable ships quickly and at scale." To achieve autonomy, Blue Water redesigned the vessel from the inside out, beginning with the engine room and extending to the ship's mechanical and electrical systems through autonomous configuration of fault-tolerant propulsion systems. Those design choices enable automated control and fault management with limited human intervention on months-long deployments, resulting in a design with an operational range of approximately 10,000 nautical miles. Wrapped around the ship's internal technology, the Axe Bow steel hull offers a rugged wave-piercing ship proven in harsh ocean environments. Damen and Blue Water saw symbiosis between Damen's proven hull and Blue Water's focus on high-endurance autonomous vessel technology. The Stan Patrol 6009 hull design has been deployed across multiple commercial and government programs and provides a well-established foundation for new applications. Damen supports the program through its Damen Technical Cooperation (DTC) licensing model, which it has applied with partners and shipyards around the world, including in the United States. "The Axe Bow hull was designed for demanding operational requirements, from speed and range to seakeeping," said Mark Honders, Design and License Manager at Damen. "Seeing the Stan Patrol 6009 adapted for autonomous operation underscores the flexibility of the design and demonstrates how proven commercial designs can serve new and emerging maritime missions." Privately funded and production ready. The launch of Liberty comes as the US Navy and Pentagon leadership push defense contractors to privately develop key military technology. Blue Water's ships will be constructed at Conrad Shipyard in Louisiana, whose five yards and 1,100-strong workforce produce 30+ ships per year. Conrad uses an advanced shipbuilding approach, including highly automated panel lines and welding techniques, that allow parallel builds and scalable throughput. "Conrad has a long history of building complex vessels for both commercial and government customers," said Cecil Hernandez, President and CEO of Conrad Shipyard. "We have the infrastructure, workforce, and production readiness to begin construction and support serial builds, helping translate advanced vessel designs into operational capacity." Liberty class is a reference to the Liberty Ships of World War II, which were produced rapidly and at scale to meet urgent national needs. Following delivery of the first ship, Blue Water plans to move into serial production, targeting ten to twenty vessels per year. Construction of the Liberty class will take place at Conrad Shipyard in Louisiana - which has produced Damen-designed hulls before - leveraging existing shipyard capacity and workforce to support efficient production, and drawing on its experience delivering complex commercial and government vessels.

Blue Water Autonomy has unveiled the Liberty Class, a 190-foot autonomous vessel for the US Navy, with first delivery expected later this year. The Boston-based startup will begin construction at Conrad Shipyard in March 2026, targeting serial production of 10 to 20 vessels annually. The vessel features a range exceeding 10,000 nautical miles and payload capacity of over 150 metric tonnes. Built on Damen's proven Stan Patrol 6009 hull design with an Axe Bow, the ship has been re-engineered internally for months-long autonomous operations supporting missile, sensor and logistics missions. Founded in 2024, Blue Water developed the vessel entirely with private capital, an unprecedented approach for a Navy ship. Construction will leverage Conrad Shipyard's five yards and 1,100-strong workforce, which produces over 30 vessels yearly.

Magnet Defense launches revolutionary ai-driven USV vessels. Magnet Defense introduces groundbreaking autonomous vessels. In an exciting development for maritime technology, Magnet Defense LLC has officially launched its latest innovation: an AI-enabled autonomous surface vessel, known as the M48. This vessel represents a significant milestone for the company and marks a pivotal moment in the realm of unmanned maritime operations. Investing in future technologies. With over $50 million channeled into research and development, Magnet Defense has dedicated countless hours and resources to refine its technology. The M48 not only stands as a testament to the company's commitment to innovation but also showcases its extensive testing and validation process, which includes a remarkable journey of over 32,000 nautical miles on the open seas. Harboring innovation with the M48. The M48 has been meticulously engineered to navigate various maritime environments autonomously. It has already completed a 390-day sea trial, ensuring it meets the rigorous demands of operational use. Built for performance, the vessel's AI capabilities allow it to execute complex tasks while adapting to dynamic sea conditions. Potential impact on maritime operations. The introduction of the M48 could revolutionize how various industries approach maritime logistics, surveillance, and research missions. As organizations look for efficient solutions to bolster safety and versatility on the water, the M48 is well-positioned to meet those needs. Applications of the M48 in various sectors. From environmental monitoring to military applications, the M48's design allows for deployment across a multitude of sectors. Its ability to operate without direct human intervention could drastically reduce costs and increase operational time, allowing companies to push the boundaries of marine exploration and data collection. Commitment to safety and validation. Safety is paramount in any technological advancement, and Magnet Defense has rigorously tested its M48 vessel to ensure reliability in real-world scenarios. Each phase of its development has been closely evaluated to minimize risk while enhancing performance efficiency. Future outlook for autonomous maritime solutions. As Magnet Defense continues to innovate, the future of autonomous maritime solutions looks promising. With advancements such as the M48, companies are eager to see what lies ahead in terms of technological enhancements and operational capabilities in the maritime sector. Frequently asked questions. What is the M48 vessel? The M48 is an AI-enabled autonomous unmanned surface vessel developed by Magnet Defense LLC. How much did Magnet Defense invest in the development of the M48? The company invested over $50 million in the design and validation of the M48. What are the unique features of the M48? The M48 boasts advanced AI capabilities that support autonomy, ensuring it can navigate and perform tasks without direct human control. What applications can the M48 be used for? The M48 is versatile and can be used for environmental monitoring, military operations, logistics, and research missions. What was the achievement of the M48 during its trials? The M48 successfully completed a total of 390 days at sea and traversed over 32,000 nautical miles during its trials. Dedicated Author and financial expert Logan Wright here, 29 years old. After earning an economics degree, I spent a number of years working in different financial industries. My great passion is enabling everyone, from any background or experience level, to understand and be literate in financial matters. My books and writings are centered on simplifying difficult financial ideas into doable, understandable guidance. Whether it's retirement planning, investing, or budgeting, I want to arm readers with the information they need to make wise financial choices and realize their financial objectives. Apart from writing, I also frequently post to financial blogs and organize webinars and workshops targeted at enlightening participants about personal finance. Always, my strategy is to offer concise, doable advice that can truly improve people's lives. Away from work, I like to read, travel, and sample new foods. My goal is to infuse everything I do with the balance that I think is essential to both financial and personal well-being. By my profession, I want to encourage and enable people to confidently and clearly take charge of their financial futures. Contact Logan Wright privately here. Or send an email with ATTN: Logan Wright as the subject to [email protected]. About investors Hangout. 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