Maritime Tactical Systems (MARTAC) signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding with Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) and Confucian Co., Ltd. at TADTE on September 18, 2025 to cooperate on research, marketing and co-manufacture of unmanned surface vessels (USVs).
On September 18, 2025, the US company Maritime Tactical Systems (MARTAC) signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) and Confucian Co., Ltd. The agreement was concluded during the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE) and outlines cooperation on the research, development, marketing, and co-manufacturing of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for the Taiwan market.
The memorandum specifies that joint areas of effort include promoting research in the unmanned surface vehicle sector, integrating supply chains, encouraging knowledge exchange, and fostering manufacturing competitiveness, while also creating conditions for future project-specific agreements and investment plans. Bruce Hanson, the Chief Executive Officer of MARTAC, said that the collaboration provides an opportunity to align MARTAC’s unmanned surface vessels with Taiwan’s future defense and industrial needs. NCSIST’s President Li Shih-chiang stated that the agreement will enable both parties to build high-performance USVs with autonomous obstacle-avoidance systems and multi-role configurations.
These naval platforms are described as having potential use in defense as well as trade and investment. The signing was accompanied by several other agreements between NCSIST and foreign companies at TADTE 2025, involving Anduril, Leonardo DRS, AeroVironment, Northrop Grumman, and Airshare. Reports indicated that 400 exhibitors from 14 countries participated, making this edition of the exhibition the largest to date. Confucian, which has been MARTAC’s sales and marketing partner in Taiwan, will act as the interface between MARTAC’s systems and local requirements, and NCSIST will contribute through its state-backed research and manufacturing role.
MARTAC’s wider unmanned surface vessel portfolio spans multiple classes and sizes, all built on open architecture and common control systems. The MANTAS T8 is a compact eight-foot electric-powered platform with a payload of 18 kilograms and burst speeds up to 25 knots, designed for littoral operations and quick deployment. The MANTAS T12 is a 12-foot electric vessel with a 64-kilogram payload and burst speeds exceeding 30 knots, available in a “gator” configuration where the hull floods to decks-awash for reduced detectability. Both can carry electro-optical, sonar, or signals intelligence sensors and can be nested within larger vessels for extended operations.
At the larger scale, the Devil Ray T24 is a 24-foot system with a payload capacity of 817 kilograms and burst speeds above 60 knots, adaptable to diesel or gasoline powertrains, while the Devil Ray T38 is an 11.1-meter dual-sponson system with a payload capacity up to 1,814 kilograms and speeds ranging from 70 to over 100 knots, capable of modular autonomy modes. MARTAC has also developed containerized solutions such as the Devil Ray T18, which is designed for discreet transport and deployment from a 20-foot container, or the M18 Muskie, a low-cost kamikaze USV which has already been procured by the US Department of War (DoW).
Alongside foreign partnerships, Taiwan has pursued its own unmanned surface vessel development programs. In June 2025, it conducted a demonstration that featured both static displays and live trials by domestic and foreign manufacturers. The event was held at Lungteh Shipbuilding’s Plant No. 6 for the static phase, followed by trials at the Jiugongli Viewing Platform in Yilan County. NCSIST organized the event to evaluate technology maturity and readiness levels, with the objective of shaping future procurement and supporting standardization of control systems across Taiwan’s unmanned maritime fleet. At the same time, the Kuai Chi attack USV, developed domestically by NCSIST, was undergoing combat evaluations. Officials said that if the evaluation was successful, it would proceed to a precision live-fire test at Jiupeng in Pingtung County in August and might later be displayed to the public. NCSIST emphasized that Kuai Chi incorporates core technologies developed fully in Taiwan and was therefore not included in the June demonstration roster due to sensitivity.
Taiwan’s broader strategic approach to unmanned maritime systems connects these indigenous projects with international collaborations such as the MARTAC partnership. NCSIST has also signed procurement contracts for Anduril’s Dive-LD autonomous underwater vehicle, with an endurance of 10 days for seabed mapping and surveillance, and the Copperhead autonomous mobile mine, which can reach speeds over 30 knots and is designed for anti-port and anti-submarine roles. Taiwan has set a target to establish a local supply chain for loitering munitions within 18 months, aiming to cap unit costs at NT$6.5 million, which is approximately $214,000. These developments fit within a national defense policy that emphasizes distributed, cost-effective, and attritable platforms capable of complicating adversary planning through numbers and persistence. By pursuing both local innovation and structured partnerships, Taiwan is working toward an integrated unmanned surface fleet that enhances its deterrent posture while aligning with the requirements of asymmetric maritime defense.
Furthermore, the incorporation of MARTAC platforms into Taiwan’s defense planning would allow for expanded surveillance and rapid response in contested maritime zones. Their speed and range provide options for patrol and interdiction missions, while their modular payloads make them adaptable for roles including reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and strike operations. As attritable platforms, they could be deployed in larger numbers to saturate adversary defenses and create uncertainty about Taiwan’s ability to respond across multiple axes. When integrated with other unmanned systems and manned naval units, these vessels could contribute to a layered defense concept designed to impose costs, complicate planning, and extend the reach of Taiwan’s forces without requiring a proportional increase in traditional crewed ships.
© 2025, GDC. © GDC and www.globaldefensecorp.com. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to www.globaldefensecorp.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
