In recent weeks, it was reported that the SALVO unmanned surface vessel (USV), produced by DEARSAN, was delivered to the Turkish Navy.[1] Together with previously inducted unmanned systems, this represents another step toward the complex reality of manned–unmanned teaming at sea.
Like all
platforms, unmanned surface vessels will follow a traditional lifecycle for
adaptation and integration. At first they will be employed in unit-level
operations, then gradually integrated into naval task groups. Yet it would be a
mistake to assume this process will take too long. The trajectory of
development suggests that hybrid concepts will mature sooner than many expect.
The Role
of Hybrid Task Groups
Unmanned
systems will not immediately replace conventional assets. Rather, their initial
contribution will be in hybrid groupings—where manned and unmanned
elements operate in coordination. Multiple studies have already highlighted
this as the most effective path to leveraging unmanned platforms in the near
term.[2] In practice, this means USVs will first and foremost serve to support
existing naval task groups, extending their reach and situational
awareness.
A key
reason for the push toward Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) is the
exhaustion of traditional communication architectures. Conventional datalinks
cannot support the level of integration required for seamless unmanned
adoption. This reality sets the stage for new operational paradigms.
Operation
Overmatch as a Model
In the
maritime domain, the U.S. Navy’s Operation Overmatch offers a clear
roadmap for integrating unmanned systems into task groups. Once a secretive
program, Overmatch now stands at the forefront of every unmanned-related
initiative.
The three
core principles of Overmatch are:
- Network-Centric Operations
- Adaptability Through Simulation
- Manned–Unmanned Teaming
When it was
launched, Overmatch was designated as one of the U.S. Navy’s three top
priorities.[3] Its ambition was to ensure that information dominance
could compete directly with firepower. With budgets in the billions,
Overmatch demands new infrastructure, standardization, and training. At its
heart lie artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)
as the twin pillars of this transformation.
What makes
Overmatch distinctive is its software-first approach. Unlike traditional
naval programs that prioritize hardware, Overmatch treats hardware as secondary
to the software-defined network and data architecture.
The
Central Role of Data and AI
Many
countries are now developing hybrid communication architectures to
enable distributed naval operations. Yet the Overmatch data architecture
remains more ambitious: it pools data from all sensors and platforms, fuses it
in a central repository, and applies AI algorithms for real-time analysis. The
output is then distributed via cloud networks—placing immense stress on data
flows between deployed units and data centers.
This makes
the question less about the headlines of the concept, which are already
familiar, and more about the approach used to implement them. Applied to
unmanned systems, it is clear that AI emerges as the critical enabler.
If employed correctly, USVs can evolve beyond remote-controlled “toys” into intelligent
assets that expand the reconnaissance and striking power of task groups.
Given the
remarkable progress of contemporary AI across all sectors, it is evident that AI-enabled
combat management and C2 applications will leap forward on such a data-rich
backbone. But with this advantage comes uncertainty: AI will be a force
multiplier in the battlespace, yet it introduces unknowns for both friend
and foe.
The Road
Ahead
In the near
future, naval operations may see autonomous “duels” between unmanned
systems. Unlike traditional command cycles, decisions and responses will be
modeled and executed at digital speed—with AI analyzing every data flow
and adjusting the operational picture in real time.
Players
with this capability will enjoy a decisive advantage. Yet the ultimate question
remains: can the results be manipulated? The risks of over-reliance on
autonomous decision-making are as significant as the opportunities.
References
[1] Göktuğ Efil, “SALVO SIDA in the Turkish Naval Inventory,” MILDEFIN,
Aug 28, 2025.
[2] Bryan Clark & Dan Patt, “Hedging Bets: Rethinking Force Design for a
Post-Dominance Era,” Hudson Institute, Feb 2024.
[3] Yasmin Tadjdeh, “Navy Dedicates More Resources to Secretive Project
Overmatch,” National Defense, Oct 8, 2021.
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