VIDEO: Saildrone USV Fires JAGM Missiles
;and Lockheed Martin demonstrated a new armed autonomous naval capability during RIMPAC 2026, successfully launching two Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM) from a Saildrone Surveyor unmanned surface vessel (USV) off Hawaii.The live-fire exercise marked the first missile launch from a Saildrone platform, moving the commercially derived USV beyond its established intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and ocean-mapping roles into kinetic operations.Conducted under the U.S. Navy Fleet Experimentation Program (FLEX), the demonstration involved the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) Carrier Strike
MFE Becomes U.S. Distributor for IVM’s HYDRO Photogrammetry Systems
MFE Inspection Solutions has partnered with IVM Technologies, becoming IVM’s first authorized U.S. distributor for its HYDRO Series.Through MFE Offshore, U.S. offshore and subsea teams will gain access to these photogrammetry systems for creating accurate 3D models of underwater assets.“Subsea teams are increasingly looking for more than visual documentation—they need accurate measurements and detailed 3D records for their inspections and work planning,” said Wendy Post, General Manager of MFE Offshore. “IVM has developed its HYDRO Series around these practical inspection
One Hull, Many Missions: How Modular USVs Are Changing Autonomous Marine Operations
The rapid expansion of autonomous marine operations has created a challenge for research institutions, government agencies, and commercial operators alike. As missions become increasingly diverse, from environmental monitoring and hydrographic surveying to defense exercises and subsea positioning, maintaining dedicated vessels for every application presents difficulties both financially and operationally.Instead, many organizations are prioritizing modular uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) capable of supporting multiple mission profiles through rapid payload reconfiguration. Rather than purchasing a
US Proposes Seabed Mining Auction off Northern Mariana Islands
latest step in President Donald Trump's push to expand domestic supplies of critical minerals.The Marine Minerals Administration proposed an offshore minerals auction covering about 67 million acres of seabed east and west of the U.S. Pacific territory.The sale would be held on Dec. 16, 2026, in California, with leases awarded through a competitive bidding process.The leases would allow companies to explore for and potentially develop deposits of critical minerals used in batteries, electronics and defense technologies.Acting MMA Director Matt Giacona said in a statement the proposal is intended
MOBY Robotics: A New Playbook for Subsea Mineral Recovery
space, created in 2025 and aiming to take a leadership role in the discovery and recovery of subsea minerals market.The race to secure critical minerals from the deep ocean has accelerated dramatically over the past two years, driven by geopolitical concerns, energy transition goals and growing demand for rare earth elements. While much of the industry's attention has centered on regulatory debates and large mining contractors, a new generation of robotics companies is quietly rethinking how subsea minerals can be discovered and recovered.Among them is Miami-based MOBY Robotics, a start-up founded
TGS and GTI Collaborate on Seismic Acquisition
Marine Data Acquisition, TGS, said. "GTI's shallow-water and transition-zone capabilities are highly complementary to our deepwater strengths, and we see significant opportunity to combine our respective expertise on projects around the world."The four-year agreement establishes a framework for collaboration on future seismic acquisition projects worldwide
L3Harris Opens Rhode Island Facility to Support Naval Readiness
L3Harris Technologies has opened a new 50,000-square-foot maritime production facility at ProvPort in Providence, marking the completion of a $6 million investment to design, produce and deliver advanced undersea training systems for the U.S. Navy and allied forces.The site will strengthen Rhode Island’s longstanding U.S. Navy and maritime industrial base with additional jobs through local partnerships, port operations and specialized maritime services, including partnering with Waterson Terminal Services to leverage local Longshoremen expertise in supporting offshore wind cable management.
Hybrid Navy Extravaganza
No too long ago, US Navy Secretary John Phelan said: “If the last few years of conflict have taught us anything, it is that we will not win the wars of the future with the platforms of the past.” The nation’s ability to deter future conflict or to prevail, if necessary, will benefit from high quantities of low-cost air, surface and subsea unmanned systems. These will be used for close-range reconnaissance or one-way strike missions along with lower numbers of high-cost sophisticated systems with surveillance and/or mid- to long-range strike capability.Kraken Technology Group is one
Nauticus Robotics Shares Q2 2026 Financial Results
Nauticus Robotics, Inc., a provider of subsea robotics and software, announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2026.STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTSNauticus ToolKITT CommercializationDuring the quarter, Nauticus successfully deployed a Comanche ROV integrated with Nauticus ToolKITT in customer operations. The system demonstrated improved operating efficiency and reduced pilot workload, providing additional field validation of the Company's software-enabled approach to subsea operations.Nauticus also released its Nauticus ToolKITT software for ROVs. The platform is now
February 2026
