Leidos Australia and Kongsberg Defence Australia have entered a strategic partnership, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to integrate Kongsberg’s advanced Naval Strike Missile (NSM) onto Leidos’ next-generation uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), the Sea Archer and its larger variant, Longbow.
This collaboration aims to develop and demonstrate a sovereign, high-endurance unmanned strike capability for maritime forces. By pairing Kongsberg’s proven, long-range anti-ship missile with Leidos’ autonomous vessel platforms, the alliance seeks to significantly extend the reach, responsiveness, and flexibility of naval firepower.
Kongsberg’s NSM is a fifth-generation, sea-skimming precision strike missile. With a range exceeding 300 kilometres, it features autonomous target recognition and sophisticated terminal manoeuvres designed to penetrate modern air defence systems, making it a formidable ship-based weapon.
The Sea Archer USV, currently under construction in Australia, is a high-speed, long-range autonomous platform capable of speeds up to 40 knots. With a range of 1,500 nautical miles and a payload capacity over 900 kg, it is designed for modular missions including strike, electronic warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Its operations are managed by Leidos’ advanced autonomy software and AI-powered battle management systems.
The larger Longbow variant offers substantially greater capacity, with a payload of 3,000 kg and a range exceeding 2,750 nautical miles, powered by four high-output diesel engines. This endurance and capacity make it an ideal candidate for deploying multiple missile systems.
The initiative is currently at the proof-of-concept stage, with potential for the NSM to be integrated across various Leidos USV platforms. Further development and integrated trials are planned in both the United States and Australia in 2026.
“This MOU represents a significant step forward in exploring a mission-ready, sovereign maritime strike capability for Australia,” said Paul Chase, Chief Executive of Leidos Australia. “By combining the proven performance of the NSM with the flexibility and endurance of our Sea Archer and Longbow USVs, we are offering Defence a potent, adaptable, and locally supported solution for future operational needs.”
The partnership underscores a growing shift toward autonomous, distributed lethality in modern naval strategy, providing a force-multiplying option that keeps crewed vessels out of immediate danger while maintaining persistent strike coverage.
