Stratom has been awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to develop an autonomous refueling system for the U.S. Navy’s fleet of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs). The contract supports initial development of a system designed to enable at-sea refueling operations without human intervention, with the aim of extending mission range and reducing risk in maritime logistics.
The project will utilize Stratom’s Deployable Onboard Refueling Interface (DORI), a robotic platform that integrates hose retrieval, perception sensors, an automated reel mechanism, and a quick-release coupling. The system is intended to operate within existing naval refueling infrastructure and is being designed to support underway replenishment scenarios for USVs.
According to Stratom, the autonomous system is expected to reduce reliance on crewed support vessels and increase operational endurance for uncrewed platforms. The Phase I effort will focus on assessing the technical feasibility of DORI’s automated components through concept development, prototyping, and trade studies. The work will also evaluate how commercial ship-to-ship bunkering practices could inform naval use.
Stratom has previously developed robotic refueling technologies for the U.S. military, including RAPID, an autonomous system for ground and aerial platforms. The company indicated that its experience in military-to-commercial technology transitions may position DORI for potential use in commercial maritime operations, including the automation of ship-to-ship bunkering processes.
