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Navy/USMC

Autonomous Vessel Technology Developer Magnet Defense Acquires Metal Shark

By Cal Biesecker

Tuesday, January 6th, 2026

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Autonomous Vessel Technology Developer Magnet Defense Acquires Metal Shark

Image: Magnet Defense LLC

Magnet Defense LLC, which is developing unmanned surface vessels (USVs), has acquired Metal Shark, a builder of patrol boats and other marine craft in a deal that gives it shipyards to produce autonomous vessels. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Magnet Defense merged from stealth last month when it unveiled its artificial intelligence-enabled, 48-meter autonomous research vessel that completed a 390-day, 32,000 nautical mile sea trial. Metal Shark, which is based in Louisiana and operates two shipyards in the…

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