Semi-submersible autonomous surface vessel with supercavitating hull for high-speed operation. AI navigation for autonomous maritime patrol and sensor payload delivery.
Ghost's supercavitating foils reduce drag by creating a bubble of gas around underwater elements of the hull that allows it to achieve speeds up to 30 knots despite being semi-submerged, significantly faster than conventional boats in rough seas. The hull's semi-submerged configuration reduces radar cross-section and visual signature, making it difficult to detect from surface ships and aircraft. US Navy interest in Ghost centered on its potential for autonomous high-speed insertion of special operations forces and sensors into defended maritime environments.
DARPA/US Navy interest; technology demonstrator tests 2012–2016; stealth maritime ISR potential
Juliet Marine Systems is a small private company. General Dynamics (GD) and Huntington Ingalls (HII) are the primary publicly traded companies developing autonomous surface vessel concepts for the US Navy.