{"id":51221,"date":"2026-07-16T22:10:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T22:10:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2026\/07\/16\/2-defense-tech-companies-sue-us-navy-after-losing-out-on-musv-program\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T20:05:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:05:40","slug":"2-defense-tech-companies-sue-us-navy-after-losing-out-on-musv-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/naval\/2026\/07\/16\/2-defense-tech-companies-sue-us-navy-after-losing-out-on-musv-program\/","title":{"rendered":"2 defense tech companies sue US Navy after losing out on MUSV program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Two defense technology companies filed lawsuits in federal court Tuesday after being excluded from the U.S. Navy\u2019s newest unmanned surface vessel acquisition program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blue Water Autonomy and Saildrone<\/a> allege they were kicked out of contention for the Navy\u2019s Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel Family of Systems program<\/a> after the Navy failed to comply with its own requirements, among other errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blue Water Autonomy said the decision was based on \u201coverly restrictive evaluation criteria, a misreading of Blue Water\u2019s proposal, and irrational conclusions that are inconsistent with the [Request for Prototype Proposals] and statutory requirements,\u201d according to a complaint filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A significant portion of both companies\u2019 legal documents were redacted, and the specifics of what the Navy found lacking in each of their MUSV proposals was not immediately clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Navy said it could not comment on pending litigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The service launched<\/a> the MUSV program and opened solicitations for the new class of boat on March 26, after canceling the Modular Attack Surface Craft program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latter, announced on July 28, 2025, solicited the development of USVs that were capable of carrying large containerized payloads that could accommodate a similar weight to the Navy\u2019s anti-ballistic missile system, the Mark 70 Mod 1 Payload Delivery System.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The MASC program was dedicated to a specific mission and specific ask from the fleet, whereas the MUSV program addresses a larger batch of requirements and mission types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was the reasoning behind the shuttering of the MASC program, according to Rebecca Gassler, portfolio acquisition executive for the U.S. Navy\u2019s robotic and autonomous systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The MUSV solicitation, which ended on April 17, analyzed a company\u2019s business plan, manufacturing plan, test plan and technical design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chosen companies and their MUSVs were then instructed to prepare for an on-water test with a surrogate vessel that would be conducted at the end of the fiscal year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blue Water Autonomy was initially chosen by the Navy to participate in the Modular Attack Surface Craft program before the MUSV program was rolled out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company was already underway in developing its Liberty vessel for the MASC program when it ended, having sunk money into production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But before Blue Water Autonomy could participate in the on-water test with a surrogate vessel to demonstrate its viability as a partner for future MUSVs, they say they were barred from continuing in the MUSV program competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Navy announced on June 1 that it had selected seven companies to participate in at-sea testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those companies included Sea Machines, Leidos, Saronic Technologies, Galliano Marine Services, PacMar Technologies, Birdon and Huntington Ingalls Industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blue Water Autonomy was not on the list.<\/p>\n\n\n