The Lightfish unmanned surface vessel was launched for the first time from a partner nation ship during Exercise Cutlass Express 2026 off Seychelles in the Indian Ocean on February 9–10, 2026. Conducted by the U.S. Navy’s Commander Task Force 66 under U.S. Sixth Fleet authority, the test marked a milestone in coalition unmanned operations. The solar-powered autonomous surface vessel was deployed from the Seychelles Coast Guard auxiliary Saya De Malha (A605) during a “limited connection” scenario designed to validate performance under degraded communications.
Expanding U.S.-led maritime domain awareness
Lightfish is an 11.4-foot solar-powered USV built for endurance rather than speed, capable of operating up to six months and covering more than 6,000 nautical miles. Equipped with AIS tracking, GNSS navigation and modular sensors, it enhances maritime domain awareness across the Western Indian Ocean. U.S. officials stressed that integrating such autonomous vessels into partner fleets strengthens freedom of navigation and maritime security in East Africa without deploying additional U.S. ships.
Task Force 66 and distributed coalition operations
Established in May 2024, Commander Task Force 66 currently operates 22 USVs and focuses on robotic and autonomous systems integration across AFRICOM and European theaters. The Seychelles launch shows allied vessels can deploy persistent drone platforms using local infrastructure. Previous Lightfish operations included a 7,500-nautical-mile transit near Guam in August 2025 and multinational experimentation under REPMUS in Portugal. The milestone confirms a U.S. shift toward distributed, coalition-ready unmanned maritime capabilities.
In the video below, the Lightfish unmanned surface vessel is seen being deployed from a partner nation vessel during Exercise Cutlass Express 2026 in the Indian Ocean.
Those seeking a deeper examination of the Lightfish’s technical capabilities and strategic impact may consult the comprehensive analysis available at Army recognition Group .
Interested in how other key maritime powers are training at sea? Don’t miss our latest article on the significant naval exercise recently held in Pakistan.
