Magnet Defense has announced it has completed its acquisition of drone boat builder Metal Shark as it seeks to ramp up its production capacity.
As per a press statement from the Florida firm: “The acquisition represents a critical step in Magnet Defense’s strategy to pair advanced robotics and AI-enabled software-defined systems with domestic industrial-scale production.
“By integrating Metal Shark’s established shipbuilding operations, workforce, and facilities, Magnet Defense moves from prototype development to sustained delivery of autonomous maritime platforms at speed and scale.”
It added: “Metal Shark’s shipyards are the hubs from which Magnet Defense will deliver critical capabilities for the U.S. Golden Fleet initiative.”
Miami-based Magnet Defense’s new autonomous uncrewed surface vessel (USV) platforms are the M48 and M68; it describes the former as a “Multi-Mission, Long-Range Fleet Operations Variant.”
It launched the platform in December, claiming it had completed 390 days and 32,000 nautical miles of testing; it is 48 metres long, with a stated 17,000-nautical-mile range and payload capacity of 100 tons. Designed to cruise at 15 knots, it has a top speed of 27 knots.
The larger 68-metre M68 platform is conceived as a “Strategic Missile Defence, Golden Dome Variant.” Its range is a claimed 13,900nm; cruise speed is 25 knots rising to 32 maximum, with a 220-ton payload.
Metal Shark has been building and designing boats at its two Louisiana facilities for more than 20 years and has delivered in excess of 2,000 vessels to customers worldwide.
It has already supplied 500 boats for the U.S. Navy and 600 to the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as other platforms to allied military forces globally.
Metal Shark had previously teamed up with HavocAI to integrate autonomous technology onto its USV platforms, including its high-speed manoeuvrable unmanned surface vessel (HSMUSV).
It has developed innovative autonomous platforms including the United States Marine Corps’ Long Range Unmanned Surface Vessel (LRUSV), the Prowler semi-submersible USV and the Frenzy micro-USV.
- You can read more details on the Magnet Defense website