Raytheon has been selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in the US to develop a sensing and targeting system designed to protect commercial shipping and naval logistics vessels from threats at sea.
The project focuses on countering uncrewed surface vehicles (USV), which the company notes have increasingly targeted merchant vessels in high-traffic trade routes.
The initiative, part of the Pulling Guard programme, uses an Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor system deployed via a tethered drone. This drone connects to a semi-autonomous uncrewed platform that is towed by the commercial ship.
This configuration provides a high vantage point for surveillance, allowing remote operators to track targets in real-time and make informed decisions to protect the vessel.
“Through this development, we are advancing critical security technologies for commercial shipping in regions like the Red Sea,” said Colin Whelan, president of Advanced Technology at Raytheon.
“By integrating our proven expertise in command and control, high-performance sensing, and effectors, we will deliver a scalable, cost-effective solution that minimizes risks to both cargo and naval assets.”
The program is scheduled for two phases. The first phase focuses on simulated engagements to test system performance and operator workflows. The second phase will involve integrating launchers and effectors to demonstrate end-to-end detection and engagement of threats during live operations.
