U.S. Navy Demonstrates USV Refueling At Sea Using Robotic Towed Connector

The US Navy is testing robotic refueling to push drone boats deeper into high-threat waters without putting sailors at risk

At-sea refueling could keep Navy drone boats on mission longer, extending their reach and reducing disruptive returns to port.

U.S. Navy Demonstrates USV Refueling At Sea Using Robotic Towed Connector

The U.S. Navy's NAWCWD has successfully demonstrated USV refueling at sea using a Robotic Towed Connector, advancing autonomous surface vessel operations.

U.S. Navy demonstrates at-sea refueling for unmanned surface vessel

The U.S. Navy demonstrated a system last month that can refuel an unmanned surface vessel at sea without any crew on board, a step toward keeping robotic boats on station indefinitely instead of returning to port when they run low on fuel. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division ran the demonstration off the coast […]

Navy Demonstrated More Unmanned Refueling At Sea

The Navy this week revealed this summer it demonstrated using a robotic towed connector to repeatedly capture, refuel and release an unmanned surface vessel (USV) at sea. A Navy-industry team […]

Navy Refuels Unmanned Vessel with Robotic Connector

SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 – The Navy has taken a major step toward enabling persistent unmanned operations by using a robotic towed connector to repeatedly capture, refuel and release an unmanned surface vessel (USV) at sea. In seven months, a Navy-industry team moved from concept to real-world testing using the T38, a Navy-owned remotely controlled USV […]