More than 35 Experiments Test Unmanned Systems, Emerging Technologies During RIMPAC

July 29, 2026 - 17:28

U.S. and partner forces completed more than 35 experiments during the biennial Rim of the Pacific Exercise, testing unmanned systems and emerging technologies to push interoperability among allied nations to new levels.

U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Jeff Jablon, deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet and commander of Combined Task Force RIMPAC, told reporters Wednesday in a virtual roundtable that these efforts help the military understand how new capabilities fit into actual combat operations. He said the exercises give operators real-world feedback early in the development process.

Demonstrations included shipboard 3D printing linked with autonomous drone delivery. Another milestone was a historic unmanned underway replenishment, executed using a Typhoon unmanned surface vessel. The experiments focused on integrating these systems with existing naval operations, testing how unmanned platforms can handle logistics, surveillance, and resupply missions without direct human control.

The scale of the testing reflects a broader push by the U.S. Navy and its allies to incorporate autonomous technology into fleet operations. By running these trials during a major multinational exercise, forces from different nations can identify compatibility issues and refine tactics before deploying the systems in real-world scenarios.