Raytheon develops tethered drone system for ship defense

Raytheon, an RTX business, has been selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop an advanced sensing and targeting system intended to protect commercial shipping and naval logistics vessels from emerging threats such as unmanned surface vehicles, the company announced on Feb. 2, 2026.

According to the announcement, Raytheon’s Advanced Technology team will design, build, and demonstrate a system that combines electro-optical and infrared sensors, advanced detection software, and integrated command-and-control capabilities. The goal is to improve situational awareness and enable faster responses to surface threats targeting vulnerable ships operating in contested maritime regions.

The system is being developed under DARPA’s Pulling Guard program, which focuses on protecting logistics and commercial vessels that lack organic self-defense systems. As outlined by the company, the architecture deploys EO/IR sensors using a tethered drone connected to a semi-autonomous unmanned platform that is towed behind commercial and naval logistics ships.

Raytheon said the elevated sensor package will provide persistent, wide-area coverage around the vessel, extending detection ranges beyond what deck-mounted sensors can achieve. The system is designed to deliver real-time target tracking data to remote operators, allowing rapid identification and engagement decisions without placing additional crew members at risk.

Phase one of the Pulling Guard effort will focus on simulated engagements. During this phase, DARPA and Raytheon will evaluate sensor performance, data fusion, and operator workflows in representative threat scenarios. Phase two will transition the system toward integration with operational launchers and effectors, enabling live operational demonstrations.

“Through this development, we are advancing critical security technologies for commercial shipping in regions like the Red Sea,” said Colin Whelan, president of Advanced Technology at Raytheon. “By integrating our proven expertise in command and control, high-performance sensing, and effectors, we will deliver a scalable, cost-effective solution that minimizes risks to both cargo and naval assets.”

The Pulling Guard system is intended to address the growing use of low-cost unmanned surface vehicles by state and non-state actors. Such systems have been used to threaten commercial shipping lanes and naval logistics vessels, particularly in narrow waterways and high-traffic sea lanes where response times are limited.

According to Raytheon, the tethered drone approach allows sensors to remain airborne for extended periods without the endurance limits associated with free-flying unmanned aircraft. The semi-autonomous towed platform provides power and stability while remaining outside the ship’s immediate wake, increasing coverage and reducing blind spots.

Beyond protecting logistics ships, Raytheon said the technology under development could support a broader set of maritime missions. These include automated overwatch for medium and large unmanned surface vessels as well as manned combatants operating across multiple theaters. The company noted that the core sensing and command-and-control components are designed to scale across different vessel types.

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has focused in recent years on fielding practical defensive technologies that can be deployed quickly and at lower cost than traditional shipborne combat systems. The Pulling Guard program reflects that approach by emphasizing modular designs that can be added to existing vessels with limited modification.

The selection of Raytheon builds on the company’s work in maritime sensors, command-and-control systems, and integrated defense solutions. Raytheon operates under RTX, which combines multiple defense and aerospace businesses serving U.S. and allied customers.