VESSEL REVIEW | Sea Archer – Surveillance and logistics USV capable of long-endurance loitering

Leidos Australia has completed harbour and open-ocean trials of Sea Archer, an Australian-built unmanned surface vessel for surveillance, logistics and electronic-warfare missions. The 11.2-metre aluminium craft uses two 300-horsepower diesel outboards and carries up to 900 kg in an enclosed modular payload bay, with a stated range of 1,500 nautical miles. Trials followed harbour acceptance in Tasmania and subsequent operations from Darwin, while Leidos reports loitering endurance of up to 23 days. The programme remains company-funded without an Australian Defence Force contract, and proposed missile or loitering-munition configurations have not yet provided a demonstrated strike capability.