Chance Maritime Technologies to support NOAA’s next generation of charting and mapping operations with a flexible, mission-ready USV platform designed and built in the USA
Lafayette, La, USA — May. 11, 2026 — Chance Maritime Technologies has been awarded a $21.6 million contract by NOAA to provide Chance LR30 uncrewed surface vessels in support of the agency’s new charting and mapping vessels. Chance Maritime will deliver up to eight Chance LR30 platforms, equipping NOAA with a fleet of long-endurance USVs purpose-built for hydrographic and fisheries surveys.
“We are very excited to work with NOAA to advance the capabilities of uncrewed systems,” said Stuart Chance, CEO and Founder of Chance Maritime Technologies. “NOAA has been a great advocate of USV technology and operations for well over a decade, and we look forward to incorporating the Chance USVs into the NOAA fleet.”
Built for Flexibility
The Chance LR30 is the culmination of decades of experience designing, building, and operating diesel-powered USVs at sea. At 30 feet in length, the platform features a climate controlled 12-foot payload bay, and integrated standard 19-inch rack with AC and DC power options. On deck it has modular deck rails and a sloped deck with winches for profiling sensors, as well as support for future payloads that can be towed or freely deployed off the stern.
The modularity of the vessel gives operators the freedom to reconfigure the Chance LR30 for new missions without redesigning the hull; this flexibility supports missions well beyond charting and mapping. The same LR30 that runs a multibeam survey line can be reconfigured to support fisheries assessments, marine protected area monitoring, environmental sensing, and emergency responses, making the platform a long-term investment in NOAA’s evolving science and stewardship priorities.
Simplified Logistics
Few aspects of uncrewed maritime operations matter more than getting the vessel safely in and out of the water. The LR30 is engineered to make this as straightforward and safe as possible. The vessel is road-trailerable and trailer-launchable, meaning operations can stage from any standard boat ramp. For shipboard operations, the LR30’s dual-pick-point-stab system enables davit launch and recovery from a mothership.
The result is more productive survey days, fewer weather-window constraints, and reduced risk to NOAA personnel during deployment and recovery.
Built for Long Endurance, High-Power Missions
The Chance LR30 is powered by a direct drive diesel engine and features a streamlined, wave-piercing hull design. Its active gyrostabilizer provides superior seakeeping in heavy seas, while redundant Starlink terminals and high-bandwidth local radios support both over-the-horizon and line-of-sight operations. The Chance LR30 was designed to be operated with or without a mothership. A mast-mounted suite of sensors provides comprehensive situational awareness throughout every mission. The Chance LR30 and its software — the Chance Maritime GAR autonomy stack — are 100% designed and built in the USA.
“Uncrewed systems are transforming how we understand the ocean,” added Michael Scherer, Chief Technology Officer at Chance Maritime. “The Chance LR30 will seamlessly adapt to NOAA’s evolving mission. Whatever the agency needs to do next — new sensors, new survey areas, new discoveries — this platform is ready for it.”
About Chance Maritime Technologies
Chance Maritime designs, builds, charters, leases, and sells USVs for commercial, government and academic clients globally. Additionally, it provides payload integration and experienced USV pilots to safely and efficiently execute complex client missions. The company’s team brings more than 150 years of combined experience in uncrewed vessel design and operations, delivering dependable, mission-focused solutions.
For more information, visit www.ChanceMaritime.com