Leidos has started the Australian build of Sea Archer, a next-generation small uncrewed surface vessel (USV). 

“Given Australia’s vast northern approaches, platforms with coverage, endurance and agility are critical. The capability to monitor large areas, detect security threats, navigate hazardous environments and provide continuous uncrewed support enhances our nation’s security posture, especially in today’s geostrategic environment,” Leidos Australia Chief Executive Paul Chase said.

Sea Archer has Leidos’ advanced autonomy platform, Leidos Autonomous Vessel Architecture (LAVA), which enables high-speed, long-range, and smart mission execution across diverse maritime environments.

LAVA is also integrated with Leidos’ broader battle management technologies including ADEPT and AlphaMosaic, which use AI to support distributed, autonomous fleet operations.

“We’re aiming to deliver a rapid production capability, and because of its easy-to-build aluminium hull, Sea Archer can be built at multiple shipyards across Australia. This approach will allow us to quickly deliver flexible, adaptable and affordable maritime solutions, using our fleet or customer vessels, to support mission needs,” Chase stated. 

According to Leidos, Sea Archer can reach sprint speeds up to 40 knots and has a range of 1,500 nautical miles.

With a flexible payload bay capacity of more than 900kg, Sea Archer can support a wide range of mission options, including strike, logistics resupply, ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), and electromagnetic deception operations.

The Australian production of Sea Archer will use local capability across the supply chain from build to payload integration, autonomy software design and ship maintenance.

NSW Central Coast-based Oceans Rivers Lakes has been appointed to build the first aluminium vessel and construction is already underway.

Along with Sea Archer, Leidos’ Sea Systems portfolio consists of operationally proven medium USVs—Sea Hunter, Sea Hawk, Ranger and Mariner—as well as a range of undersea systems including Sea Castle, Sea Spector and Sea Dart, a high-performance, low-cost, flexible and adaptable uncrewed undersea vessel.

Sea Archer is currently undergoing sea trials in the US and is expected to be mission-ready by 2026.