Follow the Money
VCsFour major private shipbuilders act as Navy primes: HII (leads in unmanned systems via ROMULUS USV and REMUS AUV programs under Odyssey autonomy software); General Dynamics (builds AUVs through Bluefin Robotics and develops USV C2 technology); Austal USA (builds Saildrone's Voyager USV); and Fincantieri Marine Group (will build Saildrone's Spectre USV). Boeing, a broader defense prime, builds the Orca XLUUV in California, with HII assisting hull assembly in Virginia.Partnering with HII and Raytheon Technologies, major commercial shipbuilder Bollinger has supplied nine 12-meter semi-autonomous
Fincantieri Acquires Subsea Telecommunications Specialist Xtera
Fincantieri announced the completion of the acquisition of Xtera Topco Limited, a UK- and US-based company in subsea telecommunications systems, through the joint venture between Prysmian (80%) and Fincantieri (20%).The transaction, announced in December 2025, marks a further step in the Group’s strategic development in the underwater sector and subsea infrastructure. Against a backdrop of growing demand for global connectivity, the expansion of data centers, and the accelerating pace of digitalization and artificial intelligence, subsea telecommunications networks are playing an increasingly
Hybrid Navy Extravaganza
, and modular payload bay.Saildrone has introduced Spectre, a 52-meter, 250 ton USV capable of up to 30 knots. Source: SaildroneSaildrone has introduced Spectre, a 52-meter, 250 tonne USV capable of up to 30 knots. Spectre is designed to deliver multi-mission operation above and below the surface. Fincantieri Marinette Marine will build the aluminum hull form at its Wisconsin shipyards which have the capacity to build five Spectre vessels per year. The vessel’s concealed payload deck provides room for dual 40-foot containers or up to five 20-foot containers. It allows easy deployment of payloads
Surveys, Offshore Energy Inspections Leverage Autonomous Technology
a more engineered, project-focused approach. This means creating vehicles that can carry high-quality payloads, operate independently and adapt to evolving customer needs. Together with Njord survey, we’re transforming small AUVs into scalable, primary survey platforms.” Eni and Fincantieri subsidiary IDS – Ingegneria dei Sistemi have partnered on the commercialization of Clean Sea, Eni’s proprietary underwater robotic system designed to monitor marine ecosystems and subsea infrastructure. The agreement initially focuses on inspection work for subsea carbon
Unmanned Vessels Proliferate in today's "Hybrid Navy Extravaganza"
, and modular payload bay.Saildrone has introduced Spectre, a 52-meter, 250 tonne USV capable of up to 30 knots.Source: SaildroneSaildrone has introduced Spectre, a 52-meter, 250 tonne USV capable of up to 30 knots. Spectre is designed to deliver multi-mission operation above and below the surface. Fincantieri Marinette Marine will build the aluminum hull form at its Wisconsin shipyards which have the capacity to build five Spectre vessels per year. The vessel’s concealed payload deck provides room for dual 40-foot containers or up to five 20-foot containers. It allows easy deployment of payloads
Fincantieri Strikes Four Deals in $687M Underwater Expansion
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has agreed to acquire majority stakes in four companies for an initial expenditure of about $687 million (€600 million), expanding its capabilities in marine drones, subsea services and underwater communications across commercial and defense markets.The agreements cover acquisitions of majority stakes in Next Geosolutions, WSense, Graal Tech, and Defcomm, which will be integrated into Fincantieri’s Underwater technological hub.Next Geosolutions, listed on Euronext Growth Milan, provides marine survey and geoscience services as well as offshore construction
Eni, Fincantieri to Advance Underwater Monitoring Technologies
Eni S.p.A and Fincantieri, through its subsidiary IDS – Ingegneria dei Sistemi, a company specialized in the development of unmanned systems for the underwater market and related command-and-control systems and in the industrialization of advanced sensors and radar technologies, announce the signing of a strategic agreement concerning Clean Sea, Eni’s proprietary technology. Clean Sea is the underwater robotic system developed by Eni and designed for monitoring marine ecosystems and subsea infrastructure, including the verification of their in-service integrity.The agreement grants IDS an
Fincantieri’s WASS and Magellan Partner on Canadian Underwater Defense
Fincantieri's subsidiary WASS Submarine Systems and Magellan Aerospace Corporation have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore industrial cooperation aimed at supporting Canada's underwater defense capabilities.The agreement establishes a framework for the two companies to identify and develop areas of cooperation related to heavyweight torpedoes and torpedo countermeasure systems.Under the arrangement, WASS and Magellan will assess opportunities for Canadian industrial participation across a range of activities, including component production, energetic sections, subassemblies
Saildrone Introduces High-Endurance Anti-Submarine and Strike USV
and fill critical capability gaps in the ASW domain.”Ficantieri Marinette Marine will build the aluminum hull form for both variants of Saildrone Spectre at its Wisconsin system of shipyards, which has the capacity to build five Spectre vessels per year. A staple shipyard for the US Navy, Fincantieri’s experience and established workforce make it an ideal partner to meet customer demand for Saildrone’s newest platform. Construction will begin shortly, with the first vessel undergoing sea trials in early 2027.The 43-meter (140-foot) composite Saildrone Wing will be manufactured
August 2026
