Low-Observable Deployable Modular Surface Platform (LODMSP): From Fixed Decks to Deployable Mission Interfaces in Autonomous Maritime Systems
From Fixed Decks to Deployable Mission Interfaces in Autonomous Maritime Systems
- Wu, Shaoyuan
Global AI Governance and Policy Research Center, EPINOVA LLC
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0660-8232
Description
This working paper introduces the Low-Observable Deployable Modular Surface Platform (LODMSP) as a conceptual maritime morphology for autonomous surface systems. It argues that fixed-deck modularity may represent a transitional stage and that future autonomous maritime platforms may increasingly be evaluated by their ability to compress into low-profile transit forms and expand into deployable mission interfaces.
Abstract
The rapid development of unmanned surface vessels, containerized payloads, distributed maritime operations, and autonomous mission systems is changing the logic of naval platform design. This working paper introduces the Low-Observable Deployable Modular Surface Platform (LODMSP) as a conceptual maritime morphology for the next phase of autonomous surface systems. LODMSP is not presented as a specific ship design, weapons architecture, or acquisition recommendation. Rather, it is an analytical model for asking how platform architecture may evolve when low-observable transit, modular payload reconfiguration, expanded mission surfaces, and autonomous orchestration become simultaneous design priorities. The core claim is that fixed-deck modularity may be a transitional stage. Existing public concepts generally place modular payloads on conventional or semi-conventional hulls. LODMSP instead treats the platform itself as a deployable mission interface: compact and low-profile in transit, expanded and functionally distributed in operation. The concept extends the author's prior framework on morphological convergence and structural dominance by applying infrastructure-centered autonomous power to maritime systems architecture.
Files
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Keywords
- low-observable maritime platforms
- deployable mission interfaces
- unmanned surface vessels
- modular payloads
- containerized naval capability
- distributed maritime operations
- autonomous maritime systems
- mission-surface expansion
- platform-payload decoupling
- maritime systems architecture
- LODMSP
- fixed-deck modularity
- variable-geometry platforms
- mission interface ratio
- deployment ratio
- external-node support
- infrastructure-centered autonomous power
- autonomous systems
- naval architecture
- technology policy
- strategic technology
- EPINOVA
Subjects
- Artificial intelligence
- AI governance
- Autonomous systems
- Autonomous maritime systems
- Unmanned surface vessels
- Robotics
- Maritime security
- Naval innovation
- Distributed maritime operations
- Systems engineering
- Defense innovation
- Technology policy
- Strategic technology
Recommended citation
Wu, Shaoyuan. (2026). Low-Observable Deployable Modular Surface Platform (LODMSP): From Fixed Decks to Deployable Mission Interfaces in Autonomous Maritime Systems (EPINOVA Working Paper No. EPINOVA-WP-A-2026-004). Global AI Governance and Policy Research Center, EPINOVA LLC. https://doi.org/10.67037/epinova.wp.a.2026.004.
APA citation
Wu, S. (2026). Low-observable deployable modular surface platform (LODMSP): From fixed decks to deployable mission interfaces in autonomous maritime systems (EPINOVA Working Paper No. EPINOVA-WP-A-2026-004). Global AI Governance and Policy Research Center, EPINOVA LLC. https://doi.org/10.67037/epinova.wp.a.2026.004.
Alternate identifiers
| Scheme | Identifier | Description |
|---|---|---|
| DOI | 10.67037/epinova.wp.a.2026.004 | Crossref DOI registered for this working paper |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.67037/epinova.wp.a.2026.004 | DOI resolution URL |
| URL | https://epinova.org/working-papers | Official EPINOVA working papers page |
| EPINOVA working paper number | EPINOVA-WP-A-2026-004 | Working paper number printed in the PDF |
| File name | Low-Observable Deployable Modular Surface Platform (LODMSP) From Fixed Decks to Deployable Mission Interfaces in Autonomous Maritime Systems.pdf | Source PDF file name |
| Analytical concept | Low-Observable Deployable Modular Surface Platform | Core conceptual maritime morphology introduced in the working paper |
| Analytical concept | Deployable Mission Interface | Primary design logic for treating the platform itself as an expandable mission interface |
| Analytical concept | Fixed-Deck Modularity | Transitional modularity model examined and challenged in the working paper |
Related works
| Relation | Identifier | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| IsPartOf | https://epinova.org/working-papers | Publication series | EPINOVA Working Paper Series |
| IsSupplementedBy | https://github.com/EPINOVALLC/EPINOVA-Research | Repository | Supplementary repository and structural archive |
| References | Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, n.d., NOMARS: No Manning Required Ship | Program page | Referenced for unmanned vessel design freedom created by removing onboard human accommodation requirements |
| References | Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, 2025, NOMARS at-sea demo | Program update | Referenced for USX-1 Defiant and long-duration autonomous at-sea demonstration |
| References | Lockheed Martin, 2023, Mk 70 Mod 1 Payload Delivery System | Product card | Referenced for containerized naval payload baseline |
| References | Naval Sea Systems Command, 2025, Modular Attack Surface Craft program | Government announcement | Referenced for cost-effective unmanned surface vessels, modular design philosophy, and rapid fielding requirements |
| References | O'Rourke, 2026, Navy Large Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs): Background and Issues for Congress | CRS report | Referenced for large unmanned surface vessels and distributed maritime operations |
| References | U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2022, Littoral Combat Ship | GAO report | Referenced for modularity challenges, operational capability, sustainment, and testing lessons |
| References | Wu, 2026, From Control Substitution to Structural Dominance | Working paper | Referenced for morphological convergence and infrastructure-centered autonomous power |
| References | Zhang et al., 2022, Design and Control of the TransBoat | Preprint | Referenced for civilian transformable unmanned surface vehicle research |
References
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. (n.d.). NOMARS: No manning required ship. https://www.darpa.mil/research/programs/no-manning-required-ship
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. (2025, August 11). NOMARS at-sea demo. https://www.darpa.mil/news/features/nomars
- Lockheed Martin. (2023). Mk 70 Mod 1 Payload Delivery System. https://www.lockheedmartin.com/content/dam/lockheed-martin/rms/documents/naval-launchers-and-munitions/Mk70_Product_Card.pdf
- Naval Sea Systems Command. (2025, July 31). U.S. Navy seeks industry feedback for Modular Attack Surface Craft program. https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Media/News/Article-View/Article/4261138/us-navy-seeks-industry-feedback-for-modular-attack-surface-craft-program/
- O'Rourke, R. (2026, January 16). Navy large unmanned surface vessels (USVs): Background and issues for Congress (CRS Report No. R45757). Congressional Research Service. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R45757
- U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2022). Littoral Combat Ship: Actions needed to address significant operational challenges and implement planned sustainment approach (GAO-22-105387). https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-105387
- U.S. Navy. (2025, August 27). Medium unmanned surface vessel (MUSV). https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/4288073/medium-unmanned-surface-vessel-musv/
- U.S. Navy. (2026, April 20). CNO remarks at Sea-Air-Space. https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Speeches/display-speech/Article/4464830/cno-remarks-at-sea-air-space/
- Wu, S. (2026). From control substitution to structural dominance: Morphological convergence and infrastructure power in autonomous systems (EPINOVA Working Paper No. EPINOVA-WP-A-2026-03). Global AI Governance and Policy Research Center, EPINOVA LLC. https://doi.org/10.67037/epinova.wp.a.2026.003
- Zhang, L., Ji, X., Jiao, Y., Qian, H., & Zhang, T. (2022). Design and control of the TransBoat: A transformable unmanned surface vehicle for overwater construction (arXiv:2212.03639). arXiv. https://arxiv.org/abs/2212.03639