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Leidos Introduces Sea Dagger

Leidos, a prominent player in defense and technology sectors, has recently unveiled its latest innovation, the Sea Dagger, a next-generation Commando Insertion Craft (CIC) tailored for the Royal Navy. This craft is a significant advancement in maritime autonomy, offering a unique blend of speed, range, and modular mission capabilities within a singular platform.

A Step Forward in Military Capability

The Sea Dagger is designed under the auspices of the UK Commando Force (UKCF) program, which aims to deliver a fleet of 24 medium surface insertion crafts. These crafts will support the deployment of Commando Strike teams and various tactical platforms over considerable distances, all while ensuring that operational readiness and resilience remain paramount.

One of the standout features of the Sea Dagger is its ability to reach speeds exceeding 40 knots, an accomplishment that reflects more than three decades of innovation and expertise in fast-craft design by Leidos. The collaborative effort involved input from military subject matter experts and the Royal Navy, ensuring that this craft meets the real-world demands of modern naval warfare.

State-of-the-Art Technology Integrated

Equipped with Leidos’ advanced technologies—such as Trusted Mission AI, autonomous systems, and integrated weaponry—the Sea Dagger sets a new benchmark in operational capabilities. Its design emphasizes maintainability and repairability, ensuring it can sustain its missions even under the duress of combat or adverse conditions, which is crucial for operations in contested environments.

The development of this craft aligns with the AUKUS Pillar 2 maritime autonomy goals and the strategic vision presented in the UK’s Strategic Defence Review. As global threats evolve, the Sea Dagger positions the UKCF to respond swiftly and effectively, armed with the sophisticated tools and training necessary to navigate the complexities of contemporary conflict scenarios.

Addressing Modern Warfare Challenges

Unlike traditional landing crafts, the Sea Dagger offers a groundbreaking synthesis of naval architecture infused with advanced sensors and C2 (command-and-control) capabilities, critical for conducting operations in challenging coastal and shallow-water environments. This innovation not only enhances the strategic mobility of special operations units but also extends their operational reach and adaptability in an increasingly congested maritime landscape.

Adam Clarke, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive at Leidos UK & Europe, expressed, “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. The Leidos design reflects our commitment to delivering resilient, future-ready platforms that can adapt to the complexities of modern warfare.”

With this initiative, Leidos is leading the maritime technology market, advancing toward innovative solutions that meet both national and international defense needs. By establishing a new standard for operational agility in naval engagements, the Sea Dagger emerges as a critical asset for the Royal Navy and allied forces.

For further insights about Leidos’ autonomous maritime systems, you can visit leidos.com/autonomy.

Overall, the Sea Dagger represents not just a technological leap but a necessary enhancement in the capabilities of maritime forces tasked with today’s diverse and evolving security landscape.