Senator Roger Wicker Supports Expansion of Uncrewed Maritime Systems Testing in Gulfport
Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has been instrumental in the development of uncrewed maritime systems in Gulfport, Mississippi. The Roger F. Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise, located at the Port of Gulfport, is a key player in this initiative. The center, in collaboration with the University of Southern Mississippi and various federal and industry partners, supports the testing and commissioning of autonomous vessels like the Marauder. Saronic, a company based in Austin, Texas, has opened a facility at the port to test and commission its 180-foot Marauder medium unmanned surface vessels. This facility spans over 30,000 square feet and includes port access, office space, and warehouse space. The first Marauder arrived in Gulfport in mid-July and has been undergoing extensive testing. The initiative is seen as a significant step in strengthening the nation's defense industrial base. 
