Leidos unveils autonomous Sea Dagger design for Royal Marines

US defence company Leidos has unveiled Sea Dagger, an autonomous next-generation Commando Insertion Craft (CIC) concept developed for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. The first craft of its size to combine speed, range, vehicle delivery and modular mission systems into a single platform, Sea Dagger sets a new standard in maritime autonomy and operational agility, says Leidos.

The CIC was developed under the UK Commando Forces (UKCF) program which set the goal of delivering 24 medium surface insertion craft capable of deploying Commando Strike teams, light tactical mobility platforms, offboard systems, and medium combat loads from long range, enabled by training and in-service support.

“Sea Dagger represents a pivotal step in equipping the UK Commando Force with the capability to operate with greater agility, survivability and intent in a complex and congested maritime environment,” said Adam Clarke, senior vice president and chief executive at Leidos UK & Europe.

Capable of exceeding 40kt, Sea Dagger is the result of a collaborative development effort between Leidos Naval Architects and military subject matter experts, the Royal Navy, and UKCF. The design builds on more than 30 years of fast-craft expertise and incorporates Leidos technology, including Trusted Mission AI, autonomous systems and integrated weaponry, the company says. It focusses on readiness, availability, maintainability and repairability. The platform is designed to continue delivering its mission under stress, disruption or attack for an enduring presence in contested environments.

Aligned with AUKUS Pillar 2 maritime autonomy objectives and the UK Strategic Defence Review’s vision to move to warfighting readiness and increasing lethality, the company says Sea Dagger helps ensure the UKCF can respond quickly to the demands of modern conflict.

Sea Dagger addresses challenges faced by specialised units operating in coastal and shallow-water environments around the world. Unlike historical near-shore landing craft, Leidos says, Sea Dagger delivers a unique combination of naval architecture and high-technology sensors, weapons and Command and Control (C2) capabilities shaped by the realities of warfare in modern conflicts.