Exclusive: HavocAI adds Seahound to its drone-boat roster
HavocAI will soon launch a 38-foot autonomous vessel to complement its smaller drone boats, which have already caught the Pentagon's eye.
Why it matters: There's a military hunger, at home and abroad, for all things unmanned.
The intrigue: Havoc is one of the youngest on the scene. It was co-founded last year by Paul Lwin, a Myanmar refugee and former EA-6B weapons system officer. (Lwin also flight tested the EA-18G.)
Zoom in: The vessel, Seahound, is expected to have a 1,000-nautical-mile range and a 1,000-pound payload capacity.
It can run on the same software as Havoc's existing 14-foot craft, Rampage.
What they're saying: "While revitalizing traditional shipbuilding remains critically important, equally urgent is the parallel development of smaller, faster, attritable unmanned maritime vessels," Lwin told Axios.
"The extraordinary success of unmanned maritime operations in Ukraine's Black Sea demonstrates their pivotal role in the future of naval combat."
Yes, but: Seeing is believing. At-sea trials will prove or disprove Seahound's utility.
Other players in the increasingly competitive unmanned surface vessel space include Leidos, Textron Systems, Saildrone and Saronic.
Follow the money: Havoc last year raised $11 million. The early investors included Scout Ventures, Trousdale Ventures and Outlander VC.
What we're watching: How Havoc stands out from the crowd — and how its work with the Navy and Army proceeds.
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