U.S. Navy seeks SOUTHCOM 'mothership' to support manned/unmanned platforms

The U.S. Navy issued an RFI for a Special Mission Vessel acting as a multi-mission 'mothership' to launch/recover and support a mix of manned helicopters plus VTOL Class 2/3 UAS and potentially USVs, with containerized UAS control/maintenance spaces. While not a new weapon, it reflects a formalized operational concept and platform requirements for sustained unmanned-enabled maritime security operations (C2, surveillance, interdiction) over long ranges.