Red Cat Holdings has expanded its autonomous defense capabilities through its Blue Ops maritime division with the launch of the B-Series uncrewed surface vessel portfolio.
The new line introduces the B-18 and B-39 alongside the existing B-26 platform, formerly known as Variant 7. Using an American shipbuilding methodology that designates hull length in feet, the unified portfolio provides standard architectures tailored to immediate operational naval requirements. Both the B-18 and B-39 are now open for procurement.
Engineered with U.S. Navy parameters in mind, including launch and recovery operations from Littoral Combat Ships, the 18-foot B-18 has finished sea trials ahead of its planned deployment timeline. The platform is configured around an internationally recognized form factor for one-way attack profiles while supporting tactical reconnaissance. Its design integrates combat-proven capabilities with a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) architecture to deliver an affordable, adaptable surface system.
For longer-endurance profiles, the 39-foot B-39 enters the lineup already in low-rate production. Built upon a commercial hull with established manufacturing tooling, the B-39 provides higher payload volume, range, and endurance for sustained surveillance, defense integration, and logistics in demanding environments. This commercial manufacturing foundation allows for scalable production and rapid deployment while accommodating mission-specific payloads, advanced sensor packages, and interoperable command-and-control architectures.
“The Navy doesn’t need examples of what autonomous vessels might deliver years from now. It needs affordable, reliable systems that perform in real-world conditions and are available today,” said Barry Hinckley, President of Blue Ops. “That’s exactly what we’re building at Blue Ops. From one-way attack and tactical reconnaissance to maritime defense and logistics, our B-Series vessels are designed to meet immediate operational needs. Combined with Red Cat’s aerial assets, we’re delivering a complete family of systems that gives U.S. and allied forces the capabilities and flexibility to operate across air and sea.”
Since establishing Blue Ops in 2025, Red Cat has scaled its domestic defense production infrastructure at its facility in Valdosta, Georgia, where the B-26 has reached full-rate production. By aligning these surface vessels with its existing aerial systems, the company provides combined multidomain autonomous capabilities built to meet domestic and allied operational defense requirements.
