Exclusive: U.S. Navy Special Forces demonstrate manned and unmanned vessels teaming.

During Exercise Balikatan 2025 at Subic Bay in the Philippines, the U.S. Navy Naval Special Warfare Command showcased its growing reliance on manned-unmanned teaming through a live demonstration involving the Combatant Craft Assault (CCA) vessel and the MARTAC T-38 Devil Ray unmanned surface vessel (USV). This high-profile maritime operation underscored the increasing integration of advanced autonomous systems with elite special forces capabilities, reinforcing the U.S. Navy’s strategic focus on distributed maritime operations and multi-domain warfare in the Indo-Pacific theater.
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A U.S. Naval Special Warfare Combatant Craft Assault tows a MARTAC T38 Devil Ray unmanned surface vessel during Exercise Balikatan 25 at Subic Bay in the Philippines, on May 5, 2025. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The U.S. Navy Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC) is the maritime component of U.S. Special Operations Command and serves as the lead organization for executing high-risk, high-impact missions in maritime and coastal environments. Its primary elements include Navy SEALs and Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC), supported by specialized units trained for direct action, special reconnaissance, counterterrorism, unconventional warfare, and sensitive strategic operations in denied or politically complex regions. These elite forces are specifically trained to operate in harsh littoral zones, often under conditions requiring stealth, speed, and rapid extraction.

In the Balikatan 25 demonstration, Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen operated the Combatant Craft Assault (CCA) vessel, a high-speed, low-signature platform designed for covert insertion and extraction of Navy SEAL teams in contested waters. The CCA is engineered for stealth, agility, and endurance, equipped with advanced navigation systems, modular weapon mounts, and a shallow draft allowing operations close to shore. Its capabilities make it an essential tool for high-risk infiltration missions, tactical surveillance, and support of special operations in littoral combat zones.

Paired with the CCA was the MARTAC T-38 Devil Ray, an advanced unmanned surface vessel built by Maritime Tactical Systems Inc. This USV measures approximately 11.6 meters in length and can exceed speeds of 80 kilometers per hour while operating in sea states up to level 5. Designed for endurance, autonomy, and mission flexibility, the Devil Ray can carry a variety of payloads for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, and logistical missions. It is capable of operating independently or under remote control, providing persistent sensor coverage and force protection capabilities in complex maritime environments.

The demonstration highlighted the strategic interest of Naval Special Warfare in manned-unmanned teaming. By deploying unmanned systems like the T-38 Devil Ray ahead of manned vessels, operators can conduct real-time reconnaissance, identify threats, and assess terrain before entering hostile zones—significantly reducing risk to personnel. Additionally, USVs provide vital support functions such as acting as communications relays, launching electronic warfare decoys, and even transporting small payloads of critical supplies to forward-deployed forces.

In actual combat operations, unmanned surface vessels are invaluable for pre-assault reconnaissance of beaches, riverine routes, or coastal ports, transmitting live ISR data back to command elements. They can be used in deception operations to simulate manned vessel signatures, confuse enemy sensors, and shield special forces movements. In extraction or resupply scenarios, they operate autonomously to deliver equipment, exfiltrate sensitive materials, or act as decoys to divert enemy attention.

The manned-unmanned teaming concept demonstrated at Balikatan 2025 represents a significant leap in the operational capabilities of the U.S. Navy Special Forces. It reflects a forward-looking approach to special operations where human decision-making is amplified by the reach, persistence, and survivability of autonomous platforms. This combination enhances mission tempo, reduces human exposure, and introduces new layers of strategic flexibility for operations in contested maritime zones.

By integrating the CCA and T-38 Devil Ray into joint maritime exercises, the U.S. Navy Naval Special Warfare Command is reshaping the future of special operations at sea. This evolution not only aligns with the Navy’s modernization strategy but also sends a clear message to allies and adversaries alike: the United States is committed to leveraging advanced unmanned technologies to maintain dominance in littoral warfare. As geopolitical competition intensifies across the Indo-Pacific, manned-unmanned teaming will be a decisive factor in preserving freedom of navigation, enhancing regional deterrence, and enabling rapid, precise, and survivable special operations in the world’s most contested waters.