Kongsberg Completes Sonatech Acquisition
Kongsberg has completed the acquisition of Sonatech, an underwater acoustics specialist. The acquisition supports Kongsberg’s growth ambitions in the US and strengthens the company’s position as a committed partner to the US Navy.Sonatech is a California-based undersea acoustics engineering and manufacturing company with more than 50 years of experience and a long history as a key technology supplier to the US Navy.Kongsberg’s expertise spans acoustic sensors, advanced navigation and positioning technology, autonomous systems and advanced signal processing. Its autonomous underwater
AAM Delivers R/V Osprey to UNCW
.Designed by Teknicraft Design in Auckland, New Zealand, the 73’ x 26.7’ twin-engine catamaran was built and inspected to USCG Subchapter T standards. The vessel is equipped to conduct a broad range of missions, from oceanographic surveys and biological studies to hands-on educational programs for students and charters of outside agencies.The vessel’s hydrofoil-assisted Teknicraft hull reduces drag, improves fuel efficiency, and delivers passenger comfort across a range of sea conditions. Twin Scania Di16-082M EPA Tier 3 engines, each rated at 800 mhp at 2100 rpm, power the vessel
Omega Subsea Sets Up New Operation Base in Western Norway
, warehouse and office space, in addition to access to 500 square meters of outdoor space with excellent vehicle access and logistics capabilities. The base is scheduled to be operational by 1 January 2027, and the company plans to recruit between five and seven new employees during the first phase.For Hilleren Navy Supply Park, the establishment marks another step in the development of an environment where the maritime industry, technology providers and emergency preparedness services can work more closely together.“This is a long-term and important investment for Omega Subsea. Hilleren provides
TGS Extends Work on Indonesia’s Largest Seismic Acquisition Project
Energy data and intelligence firm TGS has secured a one-month extension to the largest seismic streamer acquisition contract offshore Indonesia.The extension is scheduled to begin in August. TGS is conducting the job using Ramform Sovereign, one of the most efficient seismic acquisition vessels in operation.Part of the Ramform S-Class, the vessel is equipped for multi-sensor, broadband acquisition using TGS GeoStreamer technology and is capable of towing up to 22 streamers."We are very pleased to secure this contract extension, which reflects the continued confidence our client has in the Ramform
Snow Problem Too Big: A floating polar laboratory tackles Arctic research
atmosphere, snow, ice, biodiversity and the ocean itself. Tara Polaris I is just the first of multiple missions ongoing until 2046.The Tara Ocean Foundation was launched in 2003 by Agnès Troublé and son Étienne Bourgois to support marine research, educate on its importance, and pledge for ocean protection. The Polar Station, built 18 years after the organization's first North Pole trip aboard the schooner Tara, was designed to fill a scientific gap in the Arctic Ocean, which lacks a long-term research station (compared to the five permanent sites in Antarctica) and remains vulnerable
Handy Helpers: Electric Underwater Tools and Manipulators
Underwater vehicles fill a crucial place in maritime operations, providing support across multiple industries, reaching remote locations despite extreme conditions and reducing risk to workers. They function as surrogate eyes and ears where we cannot be, and for periods of time longer than many humans could manage. However, underwater systems reach beyond observational abilities—literally. Tools and manipulators broaden the capabilities of vehicles, allowing them to perform a variety of subsea tasks.Reaching new depths“One of the most significant trends we are seeing is the growing expectati
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
August 2026
