AEVEX Defends GARC Program Record and Navy Investment Amid Inaccurate Reports

22 October 2026
Edited By: Haley McQueen

AEVEX Corp. (NYSE: AVEX), a leading US defense technology company, has reaffirmed confidence in its Maritime Systems division and clarified the status of the Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) program following recent reports, which include factual inaccuracies.

(Image credit: AEVEX)

“AEVEX acquired BlackSea for its proven operational capabilities, strong customer relationships and ability to deliver increasingly sophisticated maritime autonomous systems at scale,” said Roger Wells, Chief Executive Officer of AEVEX. “The Navy’s continued investment in the GARC fleet, combined with our transition to next-generation platforms, reinforces the strategy behind this acquisition. We’re focused on executing our multi-domain strategy and delivering capabilities that evolve alongside the missions they support.”

Contrary to reports that the US Navy halted GARC orders because of performance issues, no orders have been halted. The business successfully completed its contractual obligation, having delivered 325 GARC units to the Navy in 2025. No additional GARC vessels were planned for procurement as the Navy deploys its existing GARCs across multiple different commands and missions.

AEVEX has since been executing under its existing GARC contract to enhance delivered units with new mission packages, including mine-countermeasure packages that are currently conducting MCM missions in the Strait of Hormuz. This contract has received multiple modifications in 2026, increasing the total contract value to approximately $350 million and extending the period through June 2027.

GARC vessels have accumulated more than 25,000 hours of on-water operations with the US Navy and have been deployed across multiple fleets and unmanned task forces, including operations in support of Operation Epic Fury. During the RIMPAC 2026 sinking exercise, it carried out the Navy’s first autonomous live-fire strike by a small unmanned surface vessel.

As of today, the Navy continues to operate its GARC fleet. It is also actively funding enhancements, including upgrades, payload integration, and mission-specific capabilities. The Navy has also acknowledged that practical experience gained through GARC deployments is helping accelerate robotic and autonomous systems capabilities.

Building on the GARC’s operational foundation, AEVEX is advancing the platform’s upgraded mission capabilities, while separately progressing next-generation unmanned surface vessels, including Chaser and Comet. The company’s open, modular systems architecture lets platforms take on new payloads and mission capabilities, as operational needs change.

The matters raised in the recent report, which include factual inaccuracies, do not impact the Maritime Systems division nor AEVEX’s financial performance.

The BlackSea acquisition brings a track record of operational delivery, scaled US manufacturing capabilities, and a significant pipeline of maritime technologies and programs extending into 2027 across multiple customers. AEVEX Maritime Systems’ backlog includes services supporting fielded platforms, operations, sustainment, and mission integration. AEVEX also brings its own existing autonomy expertise and experience having delivered more than 9,000 unmanned systems. Together, these strengths position AEVEX Maritime Systems to develop, manufacture, and deploy increasingly advanced autonomous solutions for US defense customers.

AEVEX remains focused on delivering operationally relevant autonomous systems across multiple domains, through continued investment in innovation, US-based manufacturing, and close collaboration with warfighters.