Boston, September 29, 2025
News Summary
Boston-based Blue Water Autonomy has teamed up with Conrad Shipyard to accelerate the production of autonomous naval vessels for the U.S. Navy. This partnership aims to utilize advanced manufacturing techniques to produce unmanned surface ships efficiently. Founded by Navy veterans, Blue Water focuses on enhancing naval capabilities through innovative technology and has already raised $61 million in funding. With growing competition in the autonomous vessel market, this collaboration positions Blue Water to strengthen national defense while addressing urgent maritime security needs.
Boston — Blue Water Autonomy has entered a partnership with Conrad Shipyard to advance the production of autonomous naval vessels, a move intended to speed deployment and scale manufacturing of unmanned surface ships for the U.S. Navy. The collaboration pairs a Boston-based startup focused on autonomy with an established builder to translate modular designs into production at scale.
What happened
The collaboration marks a significant milestone in the production of ASVs. Blue Water Autonomy is a Boston-based startup focused on designing and building autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) for the U.S. Navy. Blue Water has partnered with Conrad Shipyard, a well-established shipbuilder with extensive experience in constructing various types of vessels. The partnership will enable rapid and scalable production of autonomous vessels using Conrad’s advanced manufacturing methods.
Key details
- The company was founded by Navy veterans and aims to revolutionize naval capabilities through advanced technology.
- Blue Water aims to leverage modular designs and maximize efficiency in ship production.
- Blue Water’s ASVs are engineered for long-endurance deployments, designed to perform various roles including logistics, transport, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
- Blue Water is focused on developing one class of vessel, ensuring quality and reliability from the start.
- Following a successful Series A funding round, Blue Water has raised a total of $61 million to date.
- The company aims to build and deploy autonomous vessels at fleet scale in the coming years.
- The vessels are intended to travel thousands of nautical miles and enhance the strategic reach of the U.S. Navy.
Operational and industrial aims
Blue Water’s CEO, Rylan Hamilton, emphasizes the dual objectives of the partnership: addressing defense operational needs quickly while activating the potential of American shipyards. Conrad’s CEO, Cecil Hernandez, acknowledges the synergy between Blue Water’s innovative designs and Conrad’s shipbuilding expertise. The development of autonomous vessels aims to democratize naval capabilities and reduce reliance on manned platforms.
Production approach
The partnership is structured to combine Blue Water’s modular design approach with Conrad’s advanced manufacturing techniques to enable repeatable, rapid production. The ongoing partnership is seen as a foundation for expanding autonomous naval capabilities with speed and precision. Blue Water aims to leverage modular designs and maximize efficiency in ship production to meet demand.
Strategic context
The collaboration takes place in an environment of growing competition in the autonomous vessel industry, with other companies also unveiling new designs. The U.S. defense sector is gearing up for rapid technological evolution, with Blue Water positioned to maintain the technological edge. The company recognizes the urgent need for autonomous ships for maritime security and logistics, particularly as the U.S. faces challenges in shipbuilding capacity compared to countries like China.
Why this matters
By focusing on one class of vessel and on production repeatability, the partnership aims to demonstrate the viability and sustainability of large-scale autonomy in shipbuilding to strengthen national defense. Blue Water’s leadership includes seasoned veterans from well-known shipbuilding and advanced research organizations, enhancing their production capabilities and readiness to meet strategic needs.
Next steps and outlook
The partnership is expected to move from design and prototyping toward production readiness, with plans to scale once initial builds meet performance and reliability targets. Blue Water is preparing to meet the strategic needs of the U.S. Navy as it increasingly focuses on unmanned platforms. The collaboration reflects a broader trend to revitalize mid-tier and smaller American shipyards to meet modern naval demands.
FAQ
Q: What is Blue Water Autonomy?
A: Blue Water Autonomy is a Boston-based startup focused on designing and building autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) for the U.S. Navy.
Q: Who did Blue Water partner with?
A: Blue Water has partnered with Conrad Shipyard, a well-established shipbuilder with extensive experience in constructing various types of vessels.
Q: What will the partnership enable?
A: The partnership will enable rapid and scalable production of autonomous vessels using Conrad’s advanced manufacturing methods.
Q: How much funding has Blue Water raised?
A: Following a successful Series A funding round, Blue Water has raised a total of $61 million to date.
Q: What roles are Blue Water’s ASVs designed to perform?
A: Blue Water’s ASVs are engineered for long-endurance deployments, designed to perform various roles including logistics, transport, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
Q: What production strategy is Blue Water following?
A: Blue Water is focused on developing one class of vessel, ensuring quality and reliability from the start.
Q: What strategic need does the company recognize?
A: The company recognizes the urgent need for autonomous ships for maritime security and logistics, particularly as the U.S. faces challenges in shipbuilding capacity compared to countries like China.
Quick reference table
| Topic | Fact |
|---|---|
| Company base | Blue Water Autonomy is a Boston-based startup focused on designing and building autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) for the U.S. Navy. |
| Partner | Blue Water has partnered with Conrad Shipyard, a well-established shipbuilder with extensive experience in constructing various types of vessels. |
| Production goal | The partnership will enable rapid and scalable production of autonomous vessels using Conrad’s advanced manufacturing methods. |
| Funding | Following a successful Series A funding round, Blue Water has raised a total of $61 million to date. |
| Vessel roles | Blue Water’s ASVs are engineered for long-endurance deployments, designed to perform various roles including logistics, transport, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). |
| Production focus | Blue Water is focused on developing one class of vessel, ensuring quality and reliability from the start. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Energy Reporters: Navy veterans build robot warships
- PR Newswire: Blue Water Autonomy taps Conrad Shipyard
- MassLive: The future of crewless naval warfare
- TechCrunch: Blue Water Autonomy comes out of stealth
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Autonomy in Naval Warfare
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