Lawmakers: Navy must certify MASC's autonomous ability before construction starts

Lawmakers: Navy must certify MASC's autonomous ability before construction starts

The House Armed Services Committee's draft fiscal year 2026 defense authorization bill would implement restrictions on the construction of the Navy's new Modular Attack Surface Craft, as the program emerges as a joint solution between medium and large unmanned surface vessels. According to the draft “chairman’s mark,” the Navy secretary would have to certify to the congressional defense committees that the MASC design “will be designed and const…