MOBILE, Ala. — The U.S. Navy’s newest Overlord Unmanned Surface Vessel Vanguard (OUSV3) was recently launched from Austal USA’s shipyard in Mobile, Alabama. Vanguard is the first USV for the Navy purpose-built for autonomous operations from the keel-up.
Vanguard is being jointly developed by a team led by Austal USA and L3Harris. Once outfitting and testing are completed, Vanguard will autonomously transit to San Diego, joining sister ships, OUSV2 Ranger and OUSV4 Mariner, as part of the Navy’s USV Division 1. USVDIV 1 is the Surface Navy organization responsible for the experimentation and tactical development of USVs. The unit also operates two additional USVs, Sea Hunter and Seahawk, which were developed separately from the Overlord program.