U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. 4th Fleet

Fleet Experimentation 2026 has concluded—but its impact will continue well beyond Key West.

Over the course of 7 days, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet and partners successfully integrated artificial intelligence and unmanned systems with traditional naval platforms to detect, track, and engage illicit maritime threats.

The exercise demonstrated a fully operational hybrid fleet — capable of covering vast maritime regions, accelerating decision-making, and delivering decisive results.

Just months after initial concept development, these technologies were deployed and proven in an operational environment, highlighting the speed at which innovation is reaching the fleet.

As experimentation continues later this year, the lessons learned during will help shape the future of maritime operations.

Senior defense leaders visited to see firsthand how innovation is transforming maritime operations.

The commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), Marine Gen. Francis L. Donovan, and Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet were in attendance, along with senior executive services representatives and partner nation officials.

Their visit underscores the strategic importance of rapidly integrating new technologies into the fleet. By bringing together operational forces, interagency partners, and industry leaders, is accelerating the delivery of advanced capabilities to those on the front lines.

The message is clear: innovation is not a future concept—it is happening now.



Destroyer Squadron 40
USS Wichita LCS 13

Off the coast of Key West, manned and unmanned systems are operating as a single, unified force.

During , aerial systems and surface vehicles worked together to detect, track, and engage previously captured illicit vessels. These UAS and USVs worked in concert with MH-60 helicopters, the Trials and Research Vessel NAWC 38 and the Littoral Combat Ship USS Wichita LCS 13, networking this combined maritime force.

This isn’t a concept—it’s a proven capability delivering real-world results in the fight against transnational threats.



Destroyer Squadron 40

How does the fleet find and stop illicit activity at sea?

During , forces demonstrated a complete operational “kill chain”—a coordinated process that transforms detection into decisive action.

It begins with unmanned systems identifying a target, followed by real-time data sharing across platforms to fix and track the vessel. From there, manned assets like helicopters and ships move into position to engage and support law enforcement interdiction.

This level of integration—powered by AI and autonomous systems—means faster decisions, improved coordination, and greater effectiveness in disrupting transnational organized crime.

This is what the hybrid fleet is built to do.