USMC receives first prototype of autonomous SHARC vessel

The US Marine Corps received the first prototype of the SHARC autonomous vessel, a 37.75-foot catamaran developed by Tactical Composites for expeditionary missions. The craft uses twin 300-horsepower diesel engines, offers a payload of roughly 14,000 pounds and is designed for more than 1,000 nautical miles of range, with a bow ramp supporting logistics, casualty evacuation and uncrewed-system handling. Delivery begins evaluation rather than operational fielding, and Marine testing must confirm autonomy, communications, seakeeping, payload integration and maintainability before the service decides whether to procure additional vessels.