Pentagon solicits ARV-S unmanned surface vessel for contested logistics

The U.S. DoD/DIU is seeking to procure and rapidly scale production of the ARV-S (Autonomous Resupply Vehicle–Surface), an unmanned surface vessel designed to autonomously deliver 20-foot containers to forward units in contested Indo-Pacific conditions. The concept emphasizes dispersed, low-cost, unmanned maritime resupply to reduce personnel risk and complicate adversary targeting, with demanding requirements (1,600 nm round-trip, sea states 4–6, 2-container payload).