THE UNITED States arm of Port Macquarie-based Birdon Group has begun construction of the first tranche of its Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) at C&C Marine & Repair’s shipyard in New Orleans.
Birdon says the milestone advances the program’s production-ready approach to autonomous maritime capability. The build combines C&C Marine’s vessel production expertise, Mythos AI’s deployed autonomy, and Birdon’s prime contractor leadership, design authority, and systems integration capability.
"Starting the build moves this effort from planning into execution. It demonstrates our certainty of delivery, founded on in-place - not promised - capacity," Birdon president Kevin Mooney said.
"Birdon, C&C Marine, and Mythos are combining industry-leading operationally deployed autonomy with a globally proven, robust vessel. We are pairing production-ready engineering with a trusted serial manufacturer. Together, we will deliver mission-focused solutions for U.S. and allied military customers."
Construction draws on Birdon and C&C Marine’s proven relationship from the Ancillary Surface Craft (ASC) program.
"Our teams demonstrated on the ASC program that we can deliver vessels on time and on budget, " Tony Cibilich, C&C Marine president & owner said.
"We are proud to continue that partnership on this first block of MUSVs, with a planned production pace of one vessel every two months.”
The start of construction brings together three companies that are leaders in their respective fields, and moves the team from demonstration to scalable production and expands the industrial base for future naval operations, the three say.
In March this year Birdon America and Mythos AI announced the signing of a MOU at Sea-Air-Space 2026 to collaborate on the development and pursuit of MUSV opportunities in support of emerging United States Navy operational and acquisition requirements.
Under the collaboration, Mythos AI contributes autonomous navigation, perception, command and control, and mission software capabilities designed to be integrated into mission‑ready unmanned surface vessel platforms.
Earlier this month Birdon confirmed it is supplying three next-generation Bridge Erection Boats (BEBs) to the Australian Army, marking the evolution of a capability whose origins lie in an Australian-designed program developed for Army more than two decades ago.
The delivery represents a significant milestone in the evolution of a capability that began with Birdon’s Bridge Erection Propulsion Boat (BEPB) program for the Australian Army in 2003 and has since been adopted by military forces in the United States, Brazil and Europe, the group said.
Birdon’s original BEPB program delivered 24 vessels to the Australian Army and established the foundation for a family of military bridging boats that would ultimately support major international defence programs. The success of the Australian program enabled Birdon to expand into global markets, including the United States, where the company has since manufactured over 540 bridge erection boats and associated systems for military customers and allied nations.
The three vessels being supplied to Army have been manufactured at Birdon’s BEB manufacturing facility and represent the latest evolution of a platform that has benefited from years of operational experience, engineering refinement and continuous product development across multiple military customers and operating environments, Birdon said.