MARTAC Unveils Game-Changing Autonomy at First Investor Day in Florida

Melbourne, Florida, USA - On June 5, 2025, Maritime Tactical Systems, Inc. (MARTAC) rolled out the red carpet at its headquarters in Melbourne, Florida, hosting its inaugural Investor Day. The event drew in a mix of investors, defense leaders, and industry partners eager to see firsthand the future of autonomous maritime technology. MARTAC showcased its latest Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) innovations, leaving little doubt that the company is poised to play a significant role in the rapidly evolving defense landscape.

A highlight of the day was a thrilling demonstration featuring an autonomous „swarm“ of vessels, led by the formidable 38ft Devil Ray. The display involved a simulated surveillance and interdiction mission for US military observers, proving that these vessels are more than just high-tech toys. As CEO Bruce Hanson noted, MARTAC is ready to meet the growing demand for operationally proven autonomous systems that can operate effectively in a variety of combat scenarios.

Innovations at MARTAC

MARTAC’s systems are truly game-changers. With their combat-proven features, including advanced autonomous fleet coordination and swarming capabilities—collectively known as MantaFleet—these vessels are already demonstrating significant operational flexibility. These capabilities were recently shown to representatives of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, underscoring the significance of MARTAC’s developments in modern warfare environments.

The vessels are designed to tackle both near-peer competition and irregular warfare, currently deployed across operations from Europe to the Middle East and the South China Sea. It’s clear that MARTAC’s platforms are built for speed and efficiency, offering modular, scalable solutions capable of multi-mission integration, including ISR, electronic warfare, surface strike, and logistics.

It’s worth noting that MARTAC was founded in 2012 and has established itself as a leading U.S. manufacturer of fully autonomous unmanned surface vessels, already operational in various critical locations worldwide.

The Bigger Picture

The buzz around unmanned maritime systems (UMS) is not confined to MARTAC. Investment and activity in this sector are on the rise. As outlined by Defense Update, naval missions such as Mine Countermeasures (MCM), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) are driving increased interest in UMS. Companies like Saronic are seizing the opportunity, investing $250 million to modernize a Louisiana shipyard for the production of larger Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs).

This shift is evident as Bollinger Shipyards recently delivered the first three full-rate production Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vehicles (MCM USVs) to the U.S. Navy. These vehicles are specially designed to enhance operational resilience while minimizing risks to personnel during minesweeping, minehunting, and mine neutralization tasks.

Additionally, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has put out an open solicitation for the Combat Autonomous Maritime Platform (CAMP), looking for uncrewed systems capable of deploying large payloads over extended ranges. This push indicates that the military is eager to incorporate advanced autonomous systems into its operational framework.

Future Trends

The RAND Corporation’s report on autonomous systems tells us a lot about where this technology is headed and highlights the importance of continued investment in research and development in this arena. According to the RAND report from 2019, advancements in unmanned maritime vehicles are set to redefine naval capabilities, making it clear that innovations like those presented by MARTAC are laying a vital foundation for the future of defense.

As the world watches the growth of autonomous maritime systems unfold, it may well be that Florida—home to pioneering companies like MARTAC—will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of defense strategies worldwide. There’s certainly something to be said for being at the forefront of this exciting evolution.