Hydronalix looks to evolve USV Reckless, partners with US Navy and Marine Corps

The USV Reckless, shown here during naval fleet experimentation in 2022, is being considered for additional work for the US Navy and US Marine Corps. (US Navy)

Arizona-based company Hydronalix is working to expand the military utility of its general purpose unmanned surface vehicle (USV), Reckless, according to Hydronalix's president Robert Smith.

The US Marine Corps (USMC) has already fielded Reckless in Europe and Asia-Pacific, Smith confirmed to Janes at the Modern Day Marine (MDM) expo in Washington, DC on 29 April.

In Asia, the USV is being used by the US marines to “develop concept of operations (CONOPS) for contested logistics and littoral operations”. At the same time, the platform is being used in Europe in NATO's Operation ‘Baltic Sentry', in which the USMC is participating.

NATO's Allied Command Operations (ACO) commenced ‘Baltic Sentry' in January “to deter any future attempts by a state or non-state actor to damage critical undersea infrastructure” in the Baltic Sea, the alliance said in a 14 January press release. The mission will last “for an undisclosed amount of time” and involve frigates, maritime patrol aircraft, and new technologies, including “a small fleet of naval drones”.

The company is also working on the littoral explosive ordnance neutralisation (LEON) programme for the US marines. Two USVs were delivered for testing, Smith said.

Hydronalix has an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contract with the US Navy (USN) and USMC worth USD100 million. “The ID/IQ contract has multiple options to support both US Navy and US Marine Corps requests,” Smith said, adding, “Our ID/IQ contracts are with the Navy, including the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) and Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).”