At the Pentagon’s Multi-Domain Autonomous Solutions event, the Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) stood out among 18 advanced drone prototypes showcased to senior defense leaders. Designed for independent or swarm deployment, the small unmanned surface vessel represents the kind of rapid, scalable capability the Department of Defense is prioritizing as it accelerates production and procurement of affordable autonomous systems across all domains.

On July 16, 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering Emil Michael toured multi-domain autonomous systems at the Pentagon. BlackSea Technologies’ GARC was among the platforms showcased, representing the next generation of scalable maritime autonomy.

BlackSea Technologies’ GARC platform played a central role in this year’s BALTOPS 25 maritime exercise, supporting NATO partners and U.S. Navy CTF 66 across logistics, training, and mission execution. More than ten GARCs deployed for the event, demonstrating the operational impact of low-cost, software-defined uncrewed systems. As the Navy scales its adoption of autonomous platforms, BlackSea is delivering high-rate production at one GARC a day, mission-ready and built to win.

At BALTOPS 25, BlackSea Technologies fielded more than ten Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Crafts (GARCs) and embedded a team of experts to support logistics, planning, and real-time operations. Working alongside Commander, Task Force 66 and NATO partners, the GARC fleet maintained full mission-capable status and demonstrated its endurance, with several units covering more than 120 nautical miles in a single day. As a trusted partner in naval innovation, BlackSea continues delivering low-cost, software-driven surface autonomy at scale.

During a recent visit to Naval Base Point Loma, Fleet Master Chief Don Davis met with Sailors from Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron 3 for a firsthand look at the Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC). The visit underscored the Navy’s continued investment in autonomous surface platforms and the Sailors who operate them.

Acting Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby visited the Blak Sea Technologies (BlackSea) personnel to explore ways to enhance the U.S. Navy's Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) program, during a visit to the BlackSea facilities, June 18, 2025. The U.S. Navy's GARC program is focused on developing and deploying small, unmanned surface vehicles for various reconnaissance and intelligence gathering missions in contested maritime enviroments. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Joe J. Cardona Gonzalez).

Acting Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby visited the BlackSea Technologies (BlackSea) headquarters and production facilities in Baltimore, June 18, to see first-hand how BlackSea supports the U.S. Navy’s Small Unmanned Surface Vehicles (sUSV) program and how it plans to continue to expand its capabilities to support fleet operations.