USX-1 Defiant

History
United States
Builder
Christened11 August 2025
General characteristics
Displacement240 metric tons
Length180 feet (55 m)
Speed20 kts
Complement0

The USX-1 Defiant is a unmanned warship built as a demonstration project by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and completed in February 2025 and began sea trials in following month. It was first seen in public in March 2025 near the U.S. Navy's Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island. The ship has an LOA (length overall) of 180 feet with a 240 metric ton displacement. Defence Shipbuilder Serco oversaw the project.

USX-1 Defiant shortly after launching

During sea trials at Port Hueneme, California, the NOMARS validated capabilities of the Defiant, including successful demonstration of automated at-sea fueling. The USX-1 Defiant also tested high-speed turns and speed tests at up to 20 knots. Defiant also achieved automated dockings, undockings and harbor entry and exit.

References

  1. ↑ "NOMARS | Media Gallery | DARPA". www.darpa.mil. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  2. ↑ "No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS)". www.darpa.mil. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  3. ↑ Aaron-Matthew Lariosa. Serco, DARPA Launch NOMARS USX-1 Defiant. Naval News, 04/03/2025.
  4. ↑ Joseph Trevithick (4 March 2025). "Mysterious Naval Vessel Spotted In Washington State Is A New DARPA Drone Ship". The War Zone. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  5. ↑ "Construction of first NOMARS prototype complete, sea trials to begin this spring | InsideDefense.com". insidedefense.com. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  6. ↑ Lariosa, Aaron-Matthew (4 March 2025). "Serco, DARPA Launch NOMARS USX-1 Defiant". Naval News. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  7. ↑ DARPA NOMARS At-sea Demo Sept. 17, 2025.