Acting Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby Visits BlackSea Technologies in Baltimore, Observes Small Unmanned Surface Vehicle Operations and Advanced Manufacturing Facility
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.
BlackSea Speaks to Network for Security Business and Technology Japan About GARC and National Defense
BlackSea’s Tyler Marshburn talked with NSBT Japan at SOF Week 2025. In the interview, Tyler discusses BlackSea’s history, the capabilities of the company’s small unmanned surface vehicle - the Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) - and how GARC will play an increasingly important role in protecting U.S. assets and interests worldwide - and possibly those of our allies, including Japan.
Task Force 66 Applies Lessons Learned from the Black Sea Battle Lab to Exercise BALTOPS 25 Alongside NATO Partners
Commander, Task Force (CTF) 66, U.S. 6th Fleet’s purpose-built all-domain task force with the mission of integrating Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS) into fleet operations, is participating in Baltic Operations 2025 (BALTOPS) June 5-20, 2025. During BALTOPS 25, CTF 66 has employed unmanned surface vessels to simulate fast attack craft engagement on both Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) with Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) and other unmanned systems.
CTF 66 conducts counter USV operations with Royal Navy during BALTOPS 25
During BALTOPS 25, Royal Navy patrol vessels and U.S. Sixth Fleet’s Task Force 66 conducted counter-unmanned surface vessel (USV) operations at sea. The joint mission featured the integration of global autonomous reconnaissance crafts (GARC), showcasing NATO's evolving tactics in maritime defense and autonomous system deployment.
CTF 66 deploys GARC during BALTOPS 25
U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to Commander, Task Force 66, and Polish Servicemembers, deploy Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Crafts (GARC) during exercise Baltic Operations 2025 (BALTOPS 25), in Utska, Poland, June 6, 2025. BALTOPS 25, the premiere maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christine Montgomery)
U.S. personnel operate GARC in support of BALTOPS 25
BALTIC SEA (June 6, 2025) Operators from Special Boat Team 22 and U.S. government-contracted systems engineers deploy and operate a Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) during exercise Baltic Operations 2025 (BALTOPS 25) in the Baltic Sea, June 06, 2025. BALTOPS 25, the premiere maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Ryan LeCompte)
CTF-66 Unloads Unmanned Surface Vehicle during Exercise BALTOPS 25
USTKA, Poland (June 6, 2025) Operators working with Command Task Force 66, prepare to launch a Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft during Exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2025, in the Port of Ustka, Poland, June 06. BALTOPS 25 is the premier maritime-focused annual military exercise in the Baltic region and provides a unique opportunity to strengthen warfighting readiness and combat credibility critical to deterrence and preserving safety and security in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Karis Killman)
Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft Deployed during BALTOPS 25
USTKA, Poland (June 6, 2025) Operators working with Command Task Force 66, along with U.S. government-contracted systems engineers, prepare to deploy a Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) during exercise Baltic Operations 2025 (BALTOPS 25) in the Port of Ustka, Poland, June 06, 2025. BALTOPS 25 is the premier maritime-focused annual military exercise in the Baltic region and provides a unique opportunity to strengthen warfighting readiness and combat credibility critical to deterrence and preserving safety and security in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Ryan LeCompte)
Meet BlackSea Technologies Sleek Aluminum Skinned Unmanned Surface Vessel
A new profile from SOFREP spotlights GARC, BlackSea Technologies’ high-speed aluminum USV capable of 40+ knots and 600+ nautical miles of range. Built in Baltimore at the former Liberty Shipyard, GARC is already operational with the Navy’s USVRON-3 and designed for ISR, mine countermeasures, and more.
AUVSI Launches Trusted UMS Operator Program to Standardize Uncrewed Maritime Systems Training and Certification
Unveiled at XPONENTIAL 2025, the new Trusted UMS Operator Program sets the first industry-led training and certification standard for uncrewed maritime systems. As a founding training provider and committee member, BlackSea Technologies is proud to help shape the future of UMS workforce readiness alongside partners like NOAA and the U.S. Navy. This initiative brings structure, credibility, and scalability to the growing field of uncrewed maritime operations.