Pentagon Wants Armed USVs With Hellfire and APKWS to Shoot Down Drones Within 120 Days

The U.S. Defense Innovation Unit is seeking proposals for armed unmanned surface vessels able to counter hostile aerial drones at sea, with an objective of forward operational fielding within 120 days and an integrated demonstration required within 30 days of selection. The solicitation considers integration of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guided rockets onto remotely operated or autonomous maritime platforms, potentially providing distributed short-range air-defense options. Industry solutions must address maritime sensing, targeting, weapon integration and command oversight rather than simply mounting missiles on an existing boat. The initiative is an urgent capability assessment and solicitation, not an announced fleet procurement, and no selected contractor or operational deployment has been confirmed.