As the preeminent industry voice on acquisition policies and processes impacting unmanned maritime systems, AUVSI today urged the U.S. House and Senate Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations to increase funding for key unmanned maritime systems (UMS) initiatives within the U.S. Navy. 

Together, the Unmanned Maritime Autonomy Architecture (UMAA) and Rapid Integration Autonomy Lab (RAIL) fit within the Navy’s vision of accelerating autonomy, refining system requirements, and supporting testing for surface and undersea UMS. 

However, budget reductions and programs delays in the FY2022 funding authorization and appropriations legislation could threaten the progress of this vision during a critical moment for both U.S. strategic competitiveness and the defense industrial base. Full funding for the Navy’s unmanned systems R&D initiatives is critical in supporting the larger National Defense Strategy. 

AUVSI urged lawmakers to fully fund the Navy’s unmanned systems R&D initiatives which are critical to the support the larger National Defense Strategy. Increased funding will avoid exacerbating the “procurement trough” currently challenging the industrial base. As AUVSI warned, “Industry has made the investment in the technology, supply base, workforce and infrastructure based on the Navy UMS vision,” but that, “continued delays will force the industrial base to move their investments away from unmanned systems to other more predictable markets.” 

AUVSI’s Maritime Advocacy Committee works to facilitate the growth of UMS through active engagement with the government and with both defense and commercial sectors. Contact Mike Smitsky at msmitsky@auvsi.org to learn how your organization can get involved with the MAC. 

Read the letter: