The US Navy’s ‘GARC’ Drone Gets Its Baptism by Fire

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The GARC surface drone has many uses for the US Navy, including direct fire support, intelligence gathering, and as a “mothership” for smaller drones.

Defense technology is advancing at a rapid pace, and new weapon systems are emerging almost every day. This is particularly the case when it comes to unmanned systems and autonomous weapons. The recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have both fueled the demand for these new systems and increasingly brought them to the public eye.

The US Navy’s Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) is one such new system, and is now testing its capabilities against Iran. 

About the US Navy’s “GARC” Drone

Year Introduced: 2025 

Number Built: Unknown (likely low hundreds; production estimated at ~24–32 per month in 2025)

Length: 15.8 ft (4.8 m) 

Beam (Width): 5.8 ft (1.75 m) 

Displacement: 4,800 lbs (2.17 tonnes)

Propulsion: 200 HP diesel engine

Top Speed: 40 knots (46 mph, 74 km/h)

Range: 1,600 nautical miles........

© The National Interest