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The rise of uncrewed surface vessels: How Ukraine is rewriting the rules of naval warfare

Watch: How uncrewed surface vessels are reshaping naval combat

Naval innovation is accelerating, driven by operational demands in Ukraine.

The Black Sea has become a proving ground for new technologies, and uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) are at the forefront.

BFBS Forces News explores the types of USVs being used and developed and their impact on modern warfare.

A new era of naval combat

Imagine for a moment that you're a British sailor in 1805, standing on the deck of a wooden warship as it creaks under the strain of wind and waves.

The Battle of Trafalgar looms ahead, and although conditions are cramped and scurvy is a real threat, you have confidence in the cutting-edge ship beneath your feet.

Now, imagine showing that same sailor footage from today: a Ukrainian first-person view (FPV) drone striking a Russian Pantsir anti-aircraft missile system in the Kherson region.

What makes this moment extraordinary is that the drone was reportedly launched from a USV operated by the Ukrainian navy.

This marks a new chapter in naval warfare – uncrewed vessels launching uncrewed aircraft, striking deep behind enemy lines without putting human operators at risk.

Watch: The dangers of fibre-optic drones – can they be stopped?

The rise of uncrewed surface vessels

Naval warfare is evolving rapidly, with conflicts worldwide driving technological advancements to meet unique operational needs.

And it's not just militaries taking notice. As early as 2021, drug cartels were using USVs to transport drugs undetected across oceans.

In response, the US Coast Guard has deployed its own uncrewed vessels to counter this threat.

Meanwhile, the Houthis have employed USVs against both commercial and military targets in the Red Sea, disrupting global shipping lanes and forcing maritime security to adapt.

One of the primary advantages of USVs is their extended operational range.

Without a crew on board, they do not need to carry extra fuel for a return journey, making them ideal for long-range strike missions.

Watch: Rise in drone warfare could see the Army's Stormer replaced

Ukraine's innovative use of USVs

Among nations deploying USVs, Ukraine stands out as the most successful.

In early 2022, Russia's Black Sea Fleet dominated Ukraine's coastline, rendering its small navy ineffective.

Russia's Fleet quickly rendered Ukraine's small navy inoperative and could sail almost unimpeded across Ukraine's coast, right up to Odesa.

However, that dynamic shifted when Ukraine sank the Moskva, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, using domestically produced Neptune missiles.

The loss was a major blow to Russian naval dominance, prompting a shift in strategy.

Watch: Why uncrewed submarines could be the future

The leading USVs in Ukraine's arsenal

Ukraine is reportedly developing and operating dozens of different USV types, but two in particular have gained widespread attention: the Magura V5 and the Sea Baby.

Magura V5: Capable of reaching speeds of 80 km/h with a range of up to 800km, this USV has demonstrated anti-air capabilities. On New Year's Eve 2024, a video purportedly showed a Magura V5 downing a Russian Mi-8 helicopter and damaging a second – potentially the first instance of a USV destroying an enemy aircraft.

Sea Baby: Designed for strike missions, it can carry an explosive warhead of up to 850kg or six RPV-16 thermobaric grenade launchers. With an operational range of at least 1,000km, the Sea Baby played a role in Ukraine's attacks on the Kerch Bridge, a key supply route for Russian forces in Crimea.

Watch: Six reasons why the Kerch Bridge connecting Russia to Crimea is still standing

Rapid innovation under pressure

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Ukraine's USV programme is the speed of development.

The Magura V5 went from prototype to operational combat use in just a year, sinking two Russian landing craft in Chornomorske in late 2023.

In contrast, peacetime military procurement often takes decades.

This rapid innovation cycle underscores how pressing battlefield needs can drive technological breakthroughs.

However, reliance on satellite communications, particularly Starlink, remains a potential vulnerability.

As US political support for Ukraine wavers, future developments may focus on making USVs more resilient to disruptions in communication and control systems.