February 11, 2026 at 5:39 PM
DIU, Navy seek long-range drones for maritime strikes
A new solicitation from the Defense Innovation Unit asks for unmanned systems capable of carrying 1,000-pound-class munitions that can fly in a 600-nautical-mile radius.
A civilian contractor embarked with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, lands a V-BAT drone aboard the USS Green Bay in the Philippine Sea, Feb. 2, 2023. (U.S.
Marine Corps Sgt. Andrew King) WASHINGTON — The Defense Innovation Unit is seeking firms that can supply a drone capable of carrying fighter-sized munitions to strike targets hundreds of miles away, a new notice says, citing a growing threat of anti-ship weapons and constraints on long-range strike capabilities for maritime forces. Adding some complexity to the solicitation dubbed Runway Independent Maritime & Expeditionary Strike: Those drones also need to operate with minimal launch and recovery infrastructure, meaning they could take off from ships like an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer that lack a large flight deck typically needed for deploying aircraft.