US unmanned surface vessel (USV) manufacturer Maritime Tactical Systems (MARTAC) has partnered with Florida-based boatbuilder SŌLACE Boats to expand production of its autonomous Devil Ray USV platforms by 100 vessels annually.
The partnership is intended to increase MARTAC’s manufacturing capacity as demand for autonomous maritime systems grows among US and allied governments.
SŌLACE Boats brings nearly four decades of boatbuilding experience and operates a 200,000-square-foot production facility. The company has capabilities in vacuum infusion and catamaran-hull manufacturing, which MARTAC said complement the production methods used for its Devil Ray and MANTAS USV platforms.
“We’re proud to partner with SŌLACE, given their reputation, in-depth experience and prowess in producing high-strength, lightweight hulls that can traverse high sea-states,” said Tony Smeraglinolo, Chief Executive Officer of MARTAC.
“Our partnership with SŌLACE demonstrates MARTAC’s ability to rapidly scale by harnessing the talent and capacity of world-class marine manufacturers in our region.”
“SŌLACE Boats is excited to be partnering with MARTAC, a company whose platforms have over a decade of operational excellence in government programs and exercises,” said Stephen Dougherty, Chief Executive Officer of SŌLACE Boats.
“We are honored to leverage our expertise to support national security initiatives along with the greater maritime security mission.”
The agreement follows MARTAC’s recent co-production agreement with Mystic Powerboats, which is also intended to expand production capacity for autonomous surface vessels.
MARTAC said the two partnerships form part of its domestic manufacturing strategy, which involves working with US marine manufacturers to increase production capacity and reduce lead times and capital constraints.
The company develops autonomous and unmanned maritime systems for government and defense applications, including the Devil Ray and MANTAS USV platforms.