Typhoon Autonomous Boat Passes Early Tests
An unmanned vessel designed to deploy a swarm of drones has made its debut in the US, with initial tests already finished. The boat is Typhoon, developed by California-based Splash Industries. A modular payload system called the Airstrike Pack gives operators the ability to launch one-way attack drones using the company's Splash C2 software. The system has already been put through its paces during "force-on-force" drills, but the manufacturer has not disclosed specifications for the aerial vehicles, including their quantity, size, weight, or range. Unmanned surface craft are attracting growing interest as militaries look for ways to add drone capabilities without putting crews at risk.
Typhoon Specs and Future Developments
Typhoon measures 11 feet (about 3.4 meters) in length and can maintain speeds in excess of 50 knots. During testing it topped 70 knots. With a range of more than 600 nautical miles—roughly 1,111 kilometers—the vessel can operate far from its launch point. Splash Industries says its vertically integrated approach gives it a tenfold cost advantage over the nearest competitor when it comes to fielding UAVs.
"This vertically integrated approach lets us provide industry-leading UAV deployment capability at one-tenth the cost of our closest competitor," the company stated.
Looking ahead, Splash Industries is developing a larger unmanned ship, Tempest, which is being prepared for U.S. Navy trials. These technologies were showcased during Project Sandhills 2.0, held August 18, 2026, at Range 63 in Fort Liberty.
The advent of autonomous systems like Typhoon may fundamentally alter naval warfare. Lower UAV deployment costs open the door to fleet modernization, especially for countries seeking stronger defenses. Continued trials and follow-on designs such as Tempest signal a fast-moving push in unmanned maritime tech, with such systems likely to become a regular part of future military strategy.
The advancements in unmanned systems like the Typhoon are part of a broader trend in military innovation, as evidenced by the recent testing of the HADALUS underwater strike drone, which showcases deep-launch capabilities. These developments highlight the increasing reliance on autonomous technologies to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness in modern warfare.