Raytheon, an RTX business, has been awarded a contract by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to create a novel sensing and targeting system designed to protect commercial and naval logistics ships from emerging threats like unmanned surface vehicles (USVs).
The work falls under DARPA’s “Pulling Guard” program. The envisioned solution involves deploying Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensors on a tethered drone, which itself is launched from a semi-autonomous platform towed behind a vessel. This elevated sensor suite will provide persistent, wide-area surveillance, feeding real-time tracking data to remote human operators for rapid threat assessment and engagement decisions.
Colin Whelan, president of Advanced Technology at Raytheon, stated, “We are advancing critical security technologies for commercial shipping in regions like the Red Sea. By integrating our proven expertise in command and control, high-performance sensing, and effectors, we will deliver a scalable, cost-effective solution that minimizes risks to both cargo and naval assets.”
The program will proceed in two key phases. The initial phase will concentrate on modeling, simulation, and operator workflow evaluation. Following successful testing, phase two will transition to integrating operational launchers and effectors for a live demonstration of the complete system.
While the primary goal is defending vulnerable ships, the technology holds significant potential for broader naval applications. Its architecture could provide automated overwatch for larger USVs and manned combatants, enhancing fleet situational awareness and layered defense across multiple theaters.
