Naval Special Warfare Command to Upgrade Combatant Craft Fleet

U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command will upgrade its fleet of combatant craft to improve operator effectiveness. The upgrades target combatant craft assault, combatant craft medium, and combatant craft heavy vessels. Representatives from the Program Executive Office-Maritime outlined the changes at SOF Week 2026 in Tampa, Florida.

Capt. Jared Wyrick said the upgrades aim to integrate sensors and reduce cognitive load for operators.

The command operates 42 combatant craft assault boats.

U.S. Special Operations Command innovation office, SOFWERX, to solicit a mission management solution later this year. A second effort will increase shock mitigation on the assault variant. Wyrick noted that the small, fast craft expose operators to sea conditions and physical wear during boarding operations.

The fleet of three combatant craft heavy vessels will receive hybrid electric propulsion to extend range and operational capability.

Warfare has begun considering a next-generation combatant craft assault, called CC-X. A design could be completed within the next couple of years and may include hydrofoil technology. The design process for the next combatant craft medium, known as CCM MkII, will start this year.

The MkII will add expanded C6ISR capability, payload, power, and bandwidth. Both the assault and medium upgrades will include open systems architecture and mission management systems. Officials are also examining automation to reduce crew size and adding 360-degree awareness, passive ranging, and machine learning tools.

Equipment will be ruggedized to meet IP 66/67 standards for shock, saltwater, and vibration resistance.