The Navy has spent approximately $136.8 million on the Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) program, which includes 24 prototypes and 301 unmanned vessels, according to published reports. The boats are manufactured by BlackSea Technologies, a unit of Aevex that the defense contractor acquired in September in a deal valued at up to $650 million.

The reported purchasing halt followed an independent assessment that identified hardware limitations and performance shortcomings. The vessels were intended to expand the Navy’s use of unmanned maritime systems, which can support reconnaissance and other military missions while reducing the need to place personnel directly in harm’s way.

The Navy is also considering less expensive alternatives, including one-way attack drones that can be used against enemy targets. The availability of lower-cost systems has added pressure to reassess whether continued purchases of the GARC vessels would provide sufficient value and operational capability.

However, Aevex has disputed reports that the Navy suspended orders. The company said its vessels remain operational across multiple Navy fleets and task forces, accumulating more than 25,000 hours of maritime activity. It also said existing contract work and improvements to the platforms are continuing.

The dispute highlights the challenges the military faces as it seeks to expand its use of autonomous systems. While unmanned vessels can provide surveillance and combat capabilities, technical reliability, operating costs, and performance under real-world conditions remain important factors in determining which platforms receive continued investment.