At-sea refueling of a USV ahead of Carrier Strike Group deployment

The U.S. Navy demonstrated at-sea replenishment of a Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel during a recent exercise off Southern California. The activity is framed as preparation for the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group’s planned deployment later this year. The event signals ongoing integration of unmanned surface platforms with carrier strike formations and sustainment concepts at sea.

The core development is the conduct of an at-sea refueling operation involving a Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) during a recent demonstration off Southern California. The drill occurred as the Navy advances the integration of unmanned systems into carrier strike group operations in preparation for a deployment with the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group later this year. A USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200) oiler executed the replenishment-at-sea, performing an astern replenishment to support the unmanned platform. The maneuver showcased how sustainment ships can service unmanned assets at sea while preserving the carrier group’s tempo.