Article

The U.S. Navy is set to develop a hybrid fleet of 500 vessels by 2045, comprising 350 crewed and 150 uncrewed ships, as part of its Force Design 2045 initiative. A $3.6 billion investment from the Department of Defense will support the integration of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) for missions like intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance. However, congressional concerns about USV funding underscore the need for a clear operational framework, which the Navy is addressing through various initiatives, with potential deployments in carrier strike groups starting as early as 2026.