RTX’s Raytheon has been selected by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop a new maritime defense system designed to protect commercial shipping and naval logistics vessels from drone threats. The programme, known as Pulling Guard, represents more than a single contract award. It reflects a broader transformation in naval warfare, where maritime drones, autonomous sensing platforms, and distributed surveillance networks are redefining how fleets defend themselves at sea.

At the centre of Raytheon’s concept is a tethered aerial drone carrying electro-optical and infrared sensors, deployed from a semi-autonomous unmanned surface platform towed behind vulnerable ships. The drone feeds real-time targeting and tracking data to remote operators, enabling earlier detection of threats such as hostile unmanned surface vessels (USVs). By elevating sensors above the ship and extending surveillance range beyond the horizon, the system provides persistent overwatch without exposing crew members to direct risk.

This approach addresses one of the most urgent challenges facing maritime operators today. Commercial shipping lanes and naval logistics routes have become increasingly contested environments, particularly in regions such as the Red Sea, the Black Sea, and parts of the Indo-Pacific. Low-cost unmanned systems, including explosive USVs and surveillance drones, have introduced asymmetric threats that are difficult to detect using conventional shipboard sensors alone. These platforms are inexpensive, expendable, and capable of operating at long distances, creating persistent risks for high-value vessels.

The Pulling Guard programme reflects a move away from traditional ship-centric defence models toward distributed, layered protection architectures. Rather than relying solely on radars and sensors mounted on the vessel itself, the Raytheon system extends the sensor envelope using autonomous platforms. The tethered drone functions as an elevated sensor node, while the unmanned surface vehicle acts as a mobile deployment platform, effectively transforming the ship into part of a wider defensive network.

This concept aligns with a broader trend in maritime security: the rapid expansion of unmanned surface vessels as both defensive and offensive tools. Autonomous maritime drones are increasingly used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and infrastructure protection missions. Some platforms can remain at sea for weeks without human intervention, quietly monitoring large ocean areas while maintaining low radar and acoustic signatures. Their endurance and relatively low cost allow navies to maintain persistent awareness without committing crewed vessels to continuous patrol.

The proliferation of these systems is driving both adoption and counter-adoption cycles. Nations are investing heavily in maritime drones to expand their reach and reduce operational costs. Germany’s recent decision to acquire long-endurance maritime surveillance drones reflects growing demand for persistent ocean monitoring. Similarly, European and Ukrainian defence initiatives have prioritised the co-production of unmanned surface vessels to strengthen naval capabilities in contested waters. These developments underscore the strategic value of unmanned maritime platforms not only as sensors, but also as operational assets capable of influencing the balance of power at sea.

At the same time, the threat posed by hostile maritime drones has accelerated the development of counter-drone systems. The Raytheon Pulling Guard effort represents a new category of defensive architecture specifically designed to counter unmanned threats using unmanned systems of its own. Instead of relying exclusively on traditional ship-mounted radar and weapon systems, the defensive perimeter becomes distributed, mobile, and autonomous.

This evolution reflects deeper structural changes in naval operations. Modern fleets increasingly operate as networks of crewed and uncrewed systems rather than individual ships. Autonomous platforms extend surveillance coverage, improve situational awareness, and enable faster response times. By providing real-time tracking data to operators and command systems, unmanned platforms reduce the time between threat detection and engagement decisions.

Equally important is scalability. Autonomous defensive systems can be deployed selectively based on mission risk, allowing logistics vessels, commercial shipping, and auxiliary fleets to operate with enhanced protection without requiring extensive onboard defensive upgrades. This is particularly relevant for civilian-crewed vessels supporting military operations, which often lack the defensive systems found on front-line combatants.

The implications extend beyond individual ship protection. Autonomous maritime defense systems enable persistent overwatch across entire operational areas. Networks of unmanned surface and aerial drones can form protective layers around fleets, ports, or maritime infrastructure. These systems can operate continuously, sharing data across distributed command networks and enabling coordinated responses to emerging threats.

This distributed model is rapidly becoming central to naval strategy. Maritime drones offer endurance, flexibility, and reduced operational risk compared to traditional platforms. They can be deployed ahead of fleets, operate independently, or function as sensor relays, extending the reach of command and control systems. As sensor and autonomy technologies improve, these platforms will increasingly function as integral components of naval force structure.

Raytheon’s Pulling Guard system illustrates how these trends are converging. The combination of unmanned surface platforms, tethered aerial sensors, and integrated command software represents a layered defensive approach built around autonomous systems. Rather than replacing ships, these platforms augment them, extending their awareness and defensive reach.

The emergence of maritime drone defense reflects a broader reality: the future of naval warfare will be shaped not only by ships and submarines, but by networks of autonomous systems operating across the surface, air, and subsurface domains. In this environment, situational awareness, persistence, and distributed sensing will be as decisive as firepower.

As maritime drones continue to proliferate, the ability to detect, track, and counter them will become a defining requirement for both naval and commercial operators. RTX’s selection by DARPA marks a significant step in that evolution, signalling a future where autonomous systems are not only tools of surveillance and attack, but essential components of maritime defence itself.