The U.S. Marine Corps is moving forward with tests on the Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel (ALPV), a semisubmersible craft inspired by drug-smuggling boats. The ALPV, designed to stealthily transport weapons, food, and fuel into combat zones, represents a new frontier in military logistics and warfare technology.
At a recent Defense News Conference, Brig. Gen. Simon Doran, head of the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, acknowledged the vessel's origins: "Truth be told, it's just a narco-boat. We stole the idea from friends down south." This 55-foot vessel was developed through the Pentagon's Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve, which funds high-priority, innovative military projects.
The ALPV isn't just for transport. It can carry Naval Strike Missiles, a vital component of the Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), designed to target enemy ships.
The Marine Corps has already tested the ALPV in various military exercises, including the Army's 2024 Project Convergence, a program that explores cutting-edge military technologies and enhances global military coordination. Another craft, the Multi-Mission Reconnaissance Craft, was also observed during these tests and was designed for marine transport and targeting.
Looking ahead, the III Marine Expeditionary Force, stationed in Okinawa, Japan, will conduct further testing on the ALPV later this fall.