Ghost Fleet Overlord
{{Short description|US navy fleet of test unmanned surface vehicles}}
File:USV Nomad RIMPAC 2022 front quarter view.jpg.]]
Ghost Fleet Overlord is a fleet of test unmanned surface vehicles operated by the U.S. Navy.{{cite news |last1=LaGrone |first1=Sam |title=Ghost Fleet Ship 'Nomad' Arrives in California After 4,421 Nautical-Mile, '98 Percent' Autonomous Trip |url=https://news.usni.org/2021/06/07/ghost-fleet-ship-nomad-arrives-in-california-after-4421-nautical-mile-98-percent-autonomous-trip |access-date=17 July 2021 |work=USNI News |publisher=United States Naval Institute |date=7 June 2021}}
Ghost Fleet Overlord is being developed by the Department of Defense’s Strategic Capabilities Office. It is a partnership between the Defense Department's Strategic Capabilities Office and the Navy.{{cite web |last1=Lopez |first1=Todd |title=DOD's Autonomous Vessel Sails Through Transit Test, Participates in Exercise Dawn Blitz |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/2471165/dods-autonomous-vessel-sails-through-transit-test-participates-in-exercise-dawn/ |website=DoD News |publisher=U. S. Department of Defense |access-date=17 July 2021}}
Vessels
File:US Navy uncrewed ships passing the Sydney Opera House November 2023.jpg in November 2023]]
As of January 2024, the fleet consisted of three ships delivered and one under construction. The first was USV Ranger,{{cite web |title=Ghost Fleet Overlord Unmanned Surface Vessel Program Completes Second Autonomous Transit to the Pacific |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2647818/ghost-fleet-overlord-unmanned-surface-vessel-program-completes-second-autonomou/ |website=Release |publisher=United States Department of Defense |access-date=18 July 2021 |date=7 June 2020}} the second was USV Nomad and the third was USV Mariner.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-23 |title=Unmanned Surface Vehicle Mariner Next Ghost Fleet Vessel to Join the Navy |url=https://news.usni.org/2022/08/23/unmanned-surface-vehicle-mariner-next-ghost-fleet-vessel-to-join-the-navy |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=USNI News |language=en-US}} The fourth will be USV Vanguard, launched on January 15, 2024 but not yet delivered.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-15 |title=Austal USA Launches Vanguard USV For U.S. Navy |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/01/austal-usa-launches-vanguard-usv-for-u-s-navy/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}{{cite web |url=https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/Media/News/Article/3907291/midshipmen-visit-unmanned-surface-vessel-squadron-one/ |title=Midshipmen Visit Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron One |date=2024-09-16 |publisher=Commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet |access-date=2025-04-02}} Later in 2024, USV Nomad, a converted fast support vessel, was sold by the Navy for $2.11 million and returned to commercial service.{{cite web |url=https://www.gsaauctions.gov/auctions/preview/267504 |title=180 foot Fast Support Vessel HRN 184ULV1809 |date=2024-01-12 |publisher=U.S. General Services Administration |access-date=2025-04-02}}{{cite web |url=https://93cb53.p3cdn2.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/Curtin_Maritime_Fleet-Blair-C-Crew-Boat-FSV-DP-2.pdf |title=Blair C Crew Boat/FSV DP-2 |date=2024-08-13 |publisher=Curtin Maritime |access-date=2025-04-02}}
While technically "uncrewed", the ships carry a crew of six human sailors. Most of the ship's functions are automated, but can be carried out manually by the onboard human crew if the need arises.{{Cite web|url=https://taskandpurpose.com/news/navy-unmanned-ghost-fleet/|title=The Navy’s 'ghost fleet' is growing|first=Nicholas|last=Slayton|date=August 28, 2022|website=Task & Purpose}}
Weapons
USV Mariner is outfitted with next-generation command and control systems and a virtualised Aegis Combat System.{{Cite web|url=https://www.naval-technology.com/news/company-news/contract-news/leidos-secures-95m-contract-to-manage-overlord-and-medium-usv/|title=Leidos secures $95m contract to manage Overlord and medium USV|first=Andrew|last=Salerno-Garthwaite|date=August 21, 2023}} Its test will help in putting combat systems on Large Unmanned Surface Vehicles.{{Cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2022/08/23/unmanned-surface-vehicle-mariner-next-ghost-fleet-vessel-to-join-the-navy|title=Unmanned Surface Vehicle Mariner Next Ghost Fleet Vessel to Join the Navy - USNI News}}