On June 22, the U.S. government transferred four Ocean Aero Triton autonomous underwater and surface vehicles (AUSVs) to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Bridgette Walker, U.S. Embassy Senior Defense Official and Chief of the Joint US. Military Assistance Group-Philippines Colonel Daniel Oh, Philippine Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Joe Anthony Cabahug-Orbe, and Philippine Navy Unmanned Surface Vessel Unit Acting Commander Lt. Cmdr. Aldwin Pasicolan led the turnover ceremony at the Philippine Navy’s Naval Operating Base Subic. The delivery of these systems, valued at approximately Php754 million ($13 million), demonstrates the United States’ commitment to the U.S.-Philippines Alliance and to a free and open Indo-Pacific by enhancing the Philippines’ ability to detect and respond to maritime challenges and illegal maritime activities. The delivery demonstrates how aligned investments, training, and shared standards translate into credible, ready capabilities that deter aggression and support regional stability. The United States and the Philippines stand shoulder to shoulder as ironclad Allies, bound by shared history, common values, and an unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“Today’s delivery highlights our enduring commitment to stand with the Philippines and invest in Alliance modernization in a manner that supports the bilateral Philippines-U.S. Security Sector Assistance Roadmap objectives. These unmanned capabilities support the AFP’s transition to territorial defense and improve awareness in critical waterways. The next step is to assist the Philippines integrate these new capabilities in their employment and sustainment concepts,” said Colonel Daniel Oh.
“The four Ocean Aero Triton AUSVs we are transferring today represent something important: the future of maritime security is not just about platforms—it is about capability, speed, and reach. The Indo-Pacific’s maritime domain is vast, contested, and critical, and the Philippines sits at the heart of it. The ability to monitor and respond to maritime challenges—illegal fishing, gray zone activities, and threats to freedom of navigation—requires persistent, long-endurance awareness that no single ship or aircraft can provide alone. The Triton fills that gap by expanding the capabilities of the Philippine Navy into critical waterways,” Chargé d’Affaires Walker said in her remarks.
Triton is the world’s only wind and solar-powered Autonomous Underwater and Surface Vehicle (AUSV). The nearly 15 foot-long, 1,500 pound (680 kg) Triton can autonomously sail and submerge while carrying payloads ranging from intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) to communications, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), maritime strike, and mine counter-measures (MCM). Capable of launch/recovery from shore, ship, or air, the Triton can patrol on the surface for 30 days or more. The Triton AUSVs are capable of collecting data above and below the ocean’s surface through a resilient mesh network. When needed, it can retract its sail, dive down to 328 feet (100m) and remain submerged for 10-plus days. Triton is not a theoretical capability. The U.S. Navy has been evaluating and operating it since 2023 and has done so in the very waters Iran is now disrupting. Tritons are ready to deploy today and could be autonomously, persistently, and stealthily working the mine clearance problem in the Strait of Hormuz in the span of a week. Once underwater, it can bring to bear a mine-detection sensor suite including high resolution video cameras, thermal imaging, side-scan sonars, and others, all to develop a visualization of the sea-floor and water column, inclusive of mines. An additional payload is in the last stages of testing that can then neutralize mines via onboard effectors, mini-UUVs and wireless detonation gear.
