Navy seeks proposals for unmanned surface vessel

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A U.S. Navy request for proposals calls for a new class of unmanned surface vessels.

While the Navy floated performance specifications in February for a fleet of "medium unmanned surface vehicles," the request was officially announced Tuesday. It seeks developers for a craft of up to 164 feet long, to function as a sensor and communications relay in part of a family of unmanned surface systems under development. The craft would be able to carry a payload equivalent to a 40-foot shipping container, operate on its own for at least 60 days before requiring a return to port, and be capable of refueling at sea.