At the Sea Air Space expo in Washington, D.C., BlackSea Technologies unveiled its new COMET Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV). Additionally, the company showcased Gen II of its Global Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) called the CHASER, a small USV (sUSV). BlackSea spokesperson Jason Salata spoke with FW MAG at SAS about how modularity makes both systems ideal for a variety of missions, as many of their systems are already field- and combat-tested.

COMET is a large USV with multiple capabilities. The USV is 13.1 meters (43 feet) long, with a max speed of over 45 knots and the capability to carry 4,535 kg (10,000 pounds) in payload. At SAS, the platform displayed had two HELLFIRE missiles, two M-9X SIDEWINDER missiles, a Leonardo DRS RADA radar system, and even a second payload bay for a gun system. “The missile capability makes COMET ideal for air defense missions,” Salata told FW MAG.

The company confirmed to FW MAG that future demonstrations and tests for COMET are planned, but did not elaborate further.

BlackSea has also released a new version of its proven GARC USV: the second-generation CHASER. The system has an expanded hull compared to the Gen I version – the company confirmed that more than 350 platforms (of Gen I) have been delivered to the US Navy. The GARC is already fielded and operating with the Navy “all over the world in nearly every operational fleet, and it has been combat-tested” the company spokesperson explained.

Chaser is already well-known within the US Navy, as it has over 30,000 operational hours, the company explained. CHASER has been deployed in Europe, specifically in Souda Bay (Greece), to protect US ships. Other exercises and missions include Exercise REPMUS, an annual NATO-led exercise held in Portugal, Romania, and Sweden.

Two versions of CHASER were showcased at Sea Air Space: one featured a Lockheed Martin JAGM missile system, and the other featured an EOS 30 mm cannon. CHASER “is like a little tank,” the company executive said, and also stressed that Chaser still meets the requirements set by the US Navy, which include the ability to fit into a 6m (20-ft) shipping container. “Chaser can be transported in several ways,” Salata added.

The company declined to confirm if it will participate in the US Navy’s Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) program, but noted that it is a possibility.

BlackSea is confident in the adaptability of the CHASER Gen II and the larger COMET, as payloads can be added and exchanged to support missions such as coastal defense, electronic warfare, anti-submarine warfare, counter-mine measures, maritime domain awareness, escort missions, and the transport of sonar arrays for surveillance missions.

Assisting in operations against drug trafficking was also mentioned during the conversation on Tuesday, April 21, at SAS. Hence, FW MAG asked if BlackSea has participated in the US military’s Operation Southern Spear to combat drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean. The company confirmed that “our crewed Mother Ship, OCEANUS VI, did participate in Operation Southern Spear, and it is 54.8 m (180 feet) in size. We supported multiple USVs.”

The new US budget for fiscal year 2027 requests the acquisition of 34 new ships and 123 new aircraft, including the new battleship. While recent media coverage is focused on crewed ships, the US government is also pushing for the development of a hybrid fleet, in which uncrewed systems will protect and help the expanded crewed fleet. With their modular payloads, the “little tank” CHASER or the newly developed COMET can serve as force multipliers and assist with other missions as the US Navy aims to significantly grow.

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