American defence start-up Splash Industries has just launched Tempest, its second low-cost uncrewed surface vessel (USV).
The California-based start-up was founded in 2024 and has developed its own in-house autonomy suite to control both its new Tempest platform and its first smaller drone boat, the Typhoon, which is capable of 50 knots and has an 800-mile range.
The Tempest is an upscaled version of the same waterjet-powered vessel, offering a 0.75-ton payload capacity, a range of 300 nautical miles, and a top speed of 35 knots. It can operate in conditions up to Sea State 6, where waves can reach up to six metres high.
The low-profile USV can carry out autonomous beach landings and has a flat deck to facilitate loading and unloading.
As per a company statement: “The Tempest is built to be mass-manufactured and highly-affordable with the base version starting at under $100k.”
It added: “Its spacious payload deck, extreme stability in high seas and unbelievably low draft make it perfect for contested logistics, large sensor deployments and UAV/UUV launch operations.”
- You can read more about the firm on the Splash Industries website