The U.S. Navy is set to gain a new autonomous surface vessel. Blue Water Autonomy, a Boston-based technology and shipbuilding company, has announced details of its first vessel, the Liberty Class. The 190-foot steel autonomous ship offers a range exceeding 10,000 nautical miles and more than 150 metric tons of payload capacity. Designed in partnership with Damen, construction begins at Conrad Shipyard in March 2026, with the first vessel expected to be completed later this year under a program of record.
Highlights
- The Liberty Class is a 190-foot autonomous ship with over 10,000 nautical miles of range and 150+ metric tons of payload capacity, supporting missile, sensor, and logistics missions.
- Blue Water Autonomy developed the vessel entirely with private capital, an unusual approach for a full-sized Navy ship, and plans serial production of 10 to 20 vessels per year.
- The design is based on Damen’s Stan Patrol 6009 hull, featuring the proven Axe Bow shape with over 300 vessels operating globally.
- Conrad Shipyard in Louisiana will build the vessels, leveraging five yards and a 1,100-person workforce producing more than 30 ships annually.
Proven Hull Adapted for Unmanned Operations
The Liberty Class will be built on Damen’s Stan Patrol 6009 hull design. Blue Water selected it for the Axe Bow, a vertical bow that cuts through waves and reduces slamming. Over 300 Axe Bow vessels are currently in operation worldwide, providing a track record of proven performance.
This established hull design reduces technical risk. It allows Blue Water to concentrate engineering efforts on re-architecting the vessel’s internal systems for autonomous operation. The platform retains the hull’s performance, payload capacity, and seakeeping characteristics while supporting months-long deployments.
Blue Water redesigned the vessel from the inside out. Work began with the engine room and extended through mechanical and electrical systems. The company implemented autonomous configuration of fault-tolerant propulsion systems. These choices enable automated control and fault management with limited human intervention over extended deployments.
Rylan Hamilton, CEO of Blue Water Autonomy, said the Liberty Class reflects a focus on building autonomous ships designed from the start for long-duration operations and repeat production. He noted the company adapted a proven hull and re-engineered it for unmanned operations to deliver a vessel that can operate for extended periods without crew.
Mark Honders, Design and License Manager at Damen, said the Axe Bow hull was designed for demanding operational requirements. He added that seeing the Stan Patrol 6009 adapted for autonomous operation demonstrates how proven commercial designs can serve emerging maritime missions.
Damen Technical Cooperation Supports the Program
Blue Water and Damen identified alignment between Damen’s proven hull and Blue Water’s focus on high-endurance autonomous vessel technology. The Stan Patrol 6009 has been deployed across multiple commercial and government programs.
Damen supports the program through its Damen Technical Cooperation licensing model. The company has applied this model with partners and shipyards globally, including in the United States.
Privately Funded and Production Ready
The Liberty Class launch comes as Navy and Pentagon leadership push defense contractors to privately develop key military technology. Blue Water developed the vessel entirely with private capital. While unprecedented for a full-sized Navy ship, this approach is standard in commercial markets. The company worked with over 100 suppliers, including Damen and Conrad.
Construction will take place at Conrad Shipyard in Louisiana, which has previously produced Damen-designed hulls. Conrad’s five yards and 1,100-person workforce produce more than 30 ships per year. The shipyard uses advanced techniques, including:
- Highly automated panel line production
- Advanced welding techniques
- Parallel build capability for scalable throughput
Cecil Hernandez, President and CEO of Conrad Shipyard, said Conrad has a long history of building complex vessels for both commercial and government customers. He confirmed the shipyard has the infrastructure, workforce, and production readiness to begin construction and support serial builds.
Serial Production Targets 10–20 Vessels Per Year
The Liberty Class name references the Liberty Ships of World War II, which were produced rapidly at scale to meet urgent national needs. Following delivery of the first ship, Blue Water plans to move into serial production targeting 10 to 20 vessels per year.
The effort supports the U.S. Navy’s push to expand fleet capacity by accelerating unmanned systems that complement traditional crewed ships. Liberty’s design supports a range of missions, including missile, sensor, and logistics payloads. The vessel is immediately producible using existing U.S. shipyards and commercial supply chains.
About Blue Water Autonomy
Founded in 2024, Blue Water Autonomy is focused on making unmanned ships a reality. The company’s autonomous ship design integrates hardware, software, and AI, allowing vessels to operate on the open ocean for months. For more information, visit www.blw.ai.
About Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group has operated for more than 90 years, providing maritime solutions across ship design, construction, conversion, and repair. The company operates 35 shipyards and 20 other businesses in 20 countries, supported by a global sales and service network, and employs more than 12,000 people worldwide.
About Conrad Shipyard
Conrad Shipyard, LLC, established in 1948 and headquartered in Morgan City, Louisiana, designs, builds, and overhauls a wide variety of steel marine vessels. These include barges, dredges, tugboats, ferries, drydocks, liftboats, offshore supply vessels, and other steel products for commercial and government customers. Conrad provides conversion, repair, and new construction services at its five shipyards in southern Louisiana and Texas.
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