- In February 2025, Kongsberg Maritime launched the HUGIN Edge, a compact and lightweight autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) designed for nearshore and shelf operations. This new product targets commercial and defense clients seeking rapid deployment and high-resolution seabed mapping capabilities. HUGIN Edge features advanced navigation systems, synthetic aperture sonar, and low logistical requirements, making it ideal for mine countermeasures, infrastructure inspection, and oceanographic research. The launch strengthens Kongsberg's position in the growing market for cost-efficient, high-performance AUVs.
- In December 2024, Teledyne Technologies acquired 3D at Depth, a specialist in subsea LiDAR and metrology solutions, to bolster its capabilities in underwater data acquisition and marine robotics. This acquisition expands Teledyne’s UMV product suite with enhanced visualization and survey solutions critical for offshore oil & gas, wind energy, and defense sectors. The integration of 3D at Depth’s technology with Teledyne’s autonomous platforms is expected to create next-generation unmanned systems capable of delivering superior situational awareness and data quality in subsea environments.
- In January 2025, BAE Systems announced a partnership with Canadian firm Cellula Robotics to develop long-endurance fuel cell-powered AUVs for naval defense applications. The collaboration focuses on integrating BAE’s modular hydrogen fuel cell systems into Cellula’s Solus-LR platform, aiming to extend mission durations beyond 2,000 km without surfacing. This partnership addresses increasing defense interest in persistent undersea surveillance capabilities, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and Arctic regions where strategic seabed control is a growing priority.
- In October 2024, L3Harris Technologies unveiled a new medium unmanned surface vehicle (MUSV) platform tailored for U.S. Navy ISR and electronic warfare missions. This vessel features modular payload bays, a stealth-focused hull design, and AI-enabled navigation for fully autonomous operations in contested environments. The MUSV was developed under a USD 100M DoD contract and represents L3Harris’ continued innovation in scalable unmanned maritime solutions for naval fleets, enhancing interoperability across multi-domain operations.
- In November 2024, Swedish defense giant SAAB entered a joint development agreement with India’s Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to co-develop advanced UMVs for the Indian Navy. The collaboration includes sharing design expertise for autonomous navigation, sonar integration, and mission-specific payloads, tailored to Indian maritime conditions. This aligns with India's “Make in India” initiative and growing maritime focus in the Indian Ocean Region, while giving SAAB a strategic foothold in one of the world's fastest-growing naval markets.
