The US Navy is powering drone ships with Rolls-Royce engines which can drive for up to 30 days without human intervention

The United States Navy has granted approval for Rolls-Royce engines to power unmanned surface vessels that can operate for up to 30 days without a crew onboard. The certification encompasses both the Series 4000 and Series 2000 engines, following rigorous durability tests. The 4,300-kilowatt Series 4000 engine and the 1,939-kilowatt Series 2000 engine met the Navy's stringent requirements for propulsion and electrical generation, enabling support for lengthy missions without the need for regular maintenance by human operators.

Rolls-Royce has supplied propulsion systems for the Navy's Sea Hunter vessels, which utilize twin mtu 12V 2000 engines. This approval follows the National Defense Authorization Act, which dictates equipment regulations for autonomous military platforms. Rolls-Royce's vice president of governmental sales, Scott Hanson, emphasized the trust the company has built over decades with reliable naval power for its crews at sea.

With this approval, the Navy gains additional options for unmanned vessels as they become integral parts of its fleet plans. However, the certification does not guarantee a 30-day operational endurance for every unmanned vessel equipped with these engines, as several factors such as vessel design, weather conditions, payload, and maintenance requirements can influence actual mission durations.