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Texas-based Saronic Technologies has introduced the Marauder, a 150-foot medium unmanned surface vessel (MUSV) designed for long-range and versatile missions, with a 40-metric-ton payload and up to 3,500 nautical miles range.
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Saronic acquired Gulf Craft, a Louisiana shipbuilder, gaining a strategic shipyard to prototype and produce its fleet, with plans to build up to 50 unmanned vessels annually.
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The move aligns with President Trump’s executive order aimed at revitalizing the U.S. shipbuilding sector, amid growing maritime competition from China.
Saronic Technologies, a U.S.-based defense tech firm headquartered in Texas, has unveiled its latest innovation in autonomous naval warfare—the Marauder, a 150-foot medium unmanned surface vessel (MUSV). Purpose-built to support a wide range of missions for the United States, its allies, and commercial clients, the Marauder is designed for endurance, efficiency, and operational autonomy, as reported by Interesting Engineering.
Equipped with a payload capacity of 40 metric tons, the vessel can traverse up to 3,500 nautical miles or loiter on station for over 30 days, depending on the mission. It cruises at 12 knots, with a burst speed of 18 knots, offering flexible performance capabilities at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional manned vessels. The Marauder integrates Saronic’s proven autonomy stack, already used across its family of Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs), reinforcing its fully unmanned operational model.
Strategic Expansion: Acquisition of Gulf Craft Shipyard
To scale its operations, Saronic has acquired Gulf Craft, a Louisiana-based shipbuilder, giving it access to a strategically located shipyard along the Gulf Coast. This acquisition adds nearly 100 acres to Saronic’s operational footprint and positions the site as the primary hub for prototyping and producing the Marauder fleet and future MUSVs.
Saronic plans to invest over $250 million into modernizing the facility, including upgrades to infrastructure, machinery, and production systems. These enhancements are intended to support rapid production, scalability, and high-quality output, enabling the delivery of up to 50 unmanned vessels each year.
Economic and Strategic Impacts on the U.S. Shipbuilding Industry
The company’s expansion has been welcomed by state and federal leaders, with Congressman Clay Higgins highlighting Louisiana’s pivotal role in maritime and defense manufacturing. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson emphasized that Saronic’s investment will not only boost local economic development and job creation but also strengthen the United States’ maritime and defense readiness.
Policy Support for a Maritime Revival
Saronic’s growth and innovation come in the wake of a renewed national focus on bolstering U.S. shipbuilding. President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order aimed at revitalizing the American shipbuilding industry to compete with China’s rapidly expanding naval capabilities. The order prioritizes strengthening the commercial shipbuilding sector and supporting the maritime workforce.
This initiative has gained bipartisan support, with Senators Mark Kelly (D) and Todd Young (R) backing legislative efforts to reinvigorate the U.S. maritime industry, reflecting concerns about the U.S. Navy’s current readiness and strategic positioning at sea.
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Source: Interesting Engineering
