Qatar-based Performance Marine unveiled the GHOST MRTP 24 at DIMDEX 2026, a 24-meter high-speed patrol platform that the company positions as a command node for networked unmanned surface vessel operations.
Speaking with Naval News at the exhibition, Performance Marine CEO Hasan Al-Thani outlined the vessel’s intended role within the company’s Ghost Fleet concept. “This vessel can be the command center of all the ghost fleet that you can see behind you here,” Al-Thani explained, referring to the company’s display of smaller unmanned platforms. “This can be the mother ship [that can] control all the ghost fleet that you see behind us or can work independently with the weapon on board.“
The design, finalized two months prior to the exhibition, is currently undergoing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) testing. Al-Thani indicated the company is seeking a client to move the vessel into production.
Technical Specifications and Capabilities
The GHOST 24 MRTP is designed around a high-speed hull compatible with either Arneson or Castoldi waterjet systems. According to Al-Thani, the vessel targets a minimum speed of 50 knots with a top speed approaching 70 knots, though specific displacement figures were not disclosed. Company specifications list an operational radius of 500 nautical miles and note that detailed performance figures remain classified.
The platform incorporates gyroscopic stabilization for improved seakeeping at speed and features what the company describes as “super-silent gensets” for reduced acoustic signature during operations.
The vessel is configured to accommodate a Kongsberg’s PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Station and Naval Strike Missiles mounted aft. Al-Thani emphasized the platform’s C5 (command, control, computers, communications, and cyber) capabilities, designed to support networked operations across multiple unmanned assets.
Performance Marine describes the GHOST 24 as featuring a “fully configurable mission bay and systems architecture” with C5ISR integration supporting sensor fusion and secure communications. The modular design is intended to allow reconfiguration across patrol, strike, interdiction, and special operations profiles without structural modification.
A notable aspect of the design is its USV-convertible framework. The vessel is built to support fully unmanned operation with what the company describes as “redundant control pathways” enabling remote, semi-autonomous, or autonomous mission profiles. In crewed configuration, the platform is designed for minimal-crew operation supported by automation and integrated diagnostics.
Crew ergonomics include Ullman Dynamics shock-mitigating seating and what Performance Marine characterizes as a “human-centered bridge layout” for operations at high speed.
Next Steps
With design work complete and CFD testing underway, Performance Marine’s next steps depend on securing a launch customer. The company did not provide a timeline for construction, though Al-Thani expressed optimism about moving forward “soon” once a client is identified.
The GHOST MRTP 24 represents Performance Marine’s effort to scale up from smaller unmanned platforms to a larger manned/unmanned capable vessel that can function as a control node within a broader networked maritime architecture. Whether the vessel will attract interest from regional navies or special operations units remains to be seen as the company transitions from design to production.
Here is Naval News’ interview with the CEO of Performance Marine:
