Serco, the international provider of critical services to governments, announced today that the USX-1 Defiant, its groundbreaking prototype vessel for the No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) programme, was launched by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The ceremony took place at Everett Ship Repair in Everett, Washington, signalling a pivotal moment in Serco’s future of naval architecture and autonomous operations.
The USX-1 Defiant represents a radical departure from traditional ship design, conceived from the keel up with no provision or expectation for human crew. This “clean-sheet” approach aims to deliver unprecedented advantages in size, cost, at-sea reliability, hydrodynamic efficiency, and survivability, ultimately enabling a new class of highly capable and cost-effective unmanned surface vessels (USVs).
Following its launch, the USX-1 Defiant will begin a multi-month at-sea demonstration of its reliability and endurance. The programme aims to validate the core NOMARS concept, paving the way for significant advancements in unmanned naval capabilities.
Anthony Kirby, Serco Group Chief Executive, said:
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Download free sample pages More information“Defiant marks a first in naval ship design and ushers in an exciting new stage for the NOMARS programme and the US Navy. We are incredibly proud to have played our part in developing genuinely groundbreaking new capabilities for the Navy in vessel autonomy and at-sea refuelling.
“This watershed is the first time a ship has been designed entirely without human crew members in mind, a significant step towards the US Navy’s ambition of a fleet of USVs capable of operating in contested waters and other dangerous environments without putting the lives of human sailors at risk.
“With increasing geopolitical tensions driving defence spending across the globe, Serco stands ready to support navies and militaries as they expand their capabilities while safeguarding the security of citizens.”
Defence is a large and growing part of Serco’s portfolio, accounting for over 80% of our order intake in the first half of 2025. This continues our momentum in the defence sector, with successes this year including
