It looks like something out of a sci-fi film—an angular aluminum vessel with the minimalist vibe of a Cybertruck and the muscle of a military-grade machine. But BlackSea Technologies’ Modular Attack Surface Craft, or MASC, is more than a futuristic silhouette. It’s a fully autonomous, plug-and-play naval platform designed to meet the U.S. Navy’s urgent call for smarter, scalable fleet modernization.

The GARC platform, predecessor to MASC, shown during a reconnaissance trial off the U.S. coast. (Image: BlackSea Technologies)


At its core, MASC is a force multiplier. Think of it as a floating Swiss Army knife: one vessel, seven mission profiles. Anti-submarine warfare, electronic surveillance, logistics, mine detection—each role is activated simply by swapping out mission modules, which are standard shipping containers that bolt onto its massive 900-square-foot deck. That’s not just clever—it’s cost-effective, fast, and flexible. In a world where threats evolve overnight, adaptability is everything.

Underneath its deck, MASC packs serious power. Its onboard system delivers 198 kWe—twice the electrical output of comparable autonomous vessels. That means more juice for sensors, weapons, and communications. And with a top speed of 25 knots and an operational range of 3,000 nautical miles (extendable to 10,000), it’s not just versatile—it’s global.

Engineers at BlackSea Technologies testing the vessel’s autonomous navigation system, built on the Navy’s UMAA framework. (Image: BlackSea Technologies)


But what really sets MASC apart is its DNA. It shares 75% of its design with BlackSea’s Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC), a proven platform. And it’s built around the Navy’s Unmanned Maritime Autonomy Architecture (UMAA), a framework that ensures seamless integration and future upgrades. In plain terms: it’s modular, interoperable, and ready to scale.

Todd Greene, Deputy Director of Advanced Technology at BlackSea, summed it up best: “Our approach starts with the mission, not the platform. We designed a flexible, modular combatant that can evolve with the Fleet and be built at scale today, not years from now”. That’s a big deal. Because in defense, speed isn’t just about knots—it’s about how fast you can respond to new threats, new tech, and new geopolitical realities.

For everyday Americans, this matters more than it might seem. A more agile Navy means better protection of global trade routes, faster disaster response, and smarter use of taxpayer dollars. It’s also a signal that the Pentagon is leaning into autonomy—not just for drones in the sky, but for ships at sea. That shift could ripple into civilian tech, reshaping industries from shipping to offshore energy.

So what’s next? Watch for how the Navy responds to BlackSea’s pitch. If MASC gets the green light, it could redefine what “fleet” means in the modern era—less about size, more about smarts. And as autonomous systems continue to mature, expect more vessels that look less like battleships and more like platforms for innovation.

Source:  BlackSea.