US Army tests Ukrainian MV7 naval drones in Michigan exercises
Ukrainian-made MV7 unmanned surface vessels, built by the defence company UFORCE, were tested in US Army exercises in Michigan, where they served as carriers for aerial drones. It is the second publicly known use of Ukrainian sea drones by US forces.
Ukrainian-made MV7 unmanned surface vessels (naval drones) have been tested during US Army exercises in the state of Michigan. In the trials, the vessels acted as carriers for unmanned aerial vehicles. The military news outlet Defence Blog reported this, citing the US Army's 7th Infantry Division. The press service of the Ukrainian defence company UFORCE confirmed to Ukrainska Pravda that MV7-class drones took part.
The drones were tested in Exercise Bayonet Quest 26. The US military said the Ukrainian naval drones were part of a trial of autonomous systems for the army; such systems can extend surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
Working alongside a crewed vessel
According to a description quoted by Defence Blog, the exercise included testing that combined crewed and uncrewed maritime assets: a Mk VI patrol boat operated together with autonomous systems. This gave the US Army a view of how the two could cooperate in complex terrain.
The 7th Infantry Division did not disclose how many MV7 sea drones were used in the test.
Second known use
Defence Blog notes that the Michigan exercises are the second publicly known case of US forces using Ukrainian surface drones. In April 2026, US Army Special Forces tested Ukrainian Magura sea drones during exercises in the Philippines. In that test, the drones were used to strike and sink a target ship.
Background
Ukrainska Pravda previously reported that the American company ReconCraft will begin producing Ukraine's Magura unmanned naval platforms in the United States, in partnership with Ukraine's UFORCE.
