US Special Forces Test FOG Naval Drone in Spain

CARTAGENA, SPAIN – In a recent series of maritime exercises conducted by the United States Special Forces, the defense sector witnessed a significant advancement in the integration of unmanned systems. The star of the tests was the FOG, an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) developed by NEWT21, equipped with advanced control systems from UAV Navigation–Grupo Oesía.

The announcement, released on April 9, 2026, confirms that the guidance and navigation technology successfully passed rigorous operational tests in open sea, marking the transition from laboratory demonstrations to deployment in real military scenarios.

Operational Performance and High Autonomy

During the maneuvers, the FOG completed a fully autonomous navigation plan, demonstrating constant stability and millimetric precision in route tracking. Unlike conventional tests, the direct deployment by the US Special Forces maritime units allowed verification of the system's resilience under operational stress.

The advanced capabilities demonstrated include:

1. Dynamic Route Adjustment: The software autonomously recalculated the path in relation to the position of other moving vessels.
2. Collision Avoidance: The drone executed safe approach maneuvers towards a "mothership".
3. Diagnostic Monitoring: An onboard health control system ensured the correct functioning of all critical parameters throughout the mission.

"Fault-Tolerant" Design for the Defense Sector

One of the most relevant aspects highlighted by UAV Navigation–Grupo Oesía is the system's fault-tolerant architecture. This feature is designed to ensure that the platform remains operational and safe even in the event of partial component failure, a fundamental requirement for high-risk missions of elite forces.

"The Cartagena exercise is a practical example of how these systems are integrated into modern multi-domain operations, combining naval capabilities and special operations," the company stated in an official note.

Conclusions

The collaboration between UAV Navigation–Grupo Oesía and NEWT21 has provided a clear operational benchmark for the technological maturity of naval drones. The success of the FOG underscores the increasingly central role of autonomous platforms in maritime security and tactical support for global special forces.