Hybrid Theory: Multi-Domain Unmanned Systems are Blurring Maritime Boundaries
power and up to 4 knots using its electric thruster for station-keeping or low-wind transit. With the Defense Innovation Unit supporting the vehicle’s transition to contract manufacturing, HORUS represents a next-generation approach to scalable, “disruptively affordable” autonomous maritime systems.SubSeaSail’s HERMES, meanwhile, is a scalable, self-righting, semi-submersible trimaran designed for long-duration surface and subsurface operations, and is envisioned as a cargo and expeditionary power supply platform. Like HORUS, HERMES can submerge to 100 meters to evade detection or
Kraken Robotics Appoints New Executives
, an advanced materials subsidiary of the Airbus Group. He previously served as President of Ultra Sonar Systems, leading over 850 UK, Canada, and Australia-based staff in the delivery of underwater sensing capability to global naval customers. Earlier in his career, Mills worked for Thales, another maritime systems developer, with roles in both France and Australia.Mills is currently Chairman of the Board of the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI). His expertise spans strategic growth (through both business capture and mergers and acquisitions), operational and program leadership
OPT, Mythos AI Partner Up for Autonomous Maritime Systems Boost
the first quarter of 2026.The systems will utilize real-time edge processing, multi-sensor fusion, and adaptive learning for improved situational awareness, obstacle avoidance, and multi-vehicle coordination."This partnership should strengthen our ability to deliver high-performance autonomous maritime systems that are flexible, scalable, and ready for real-world missions."By integrating Mythos AI’s autonomy framework, we believe OPT will accelerate how quickly and broadly we can deploy advanced capabilities for our customers, without limiting the openness of our platforms or our ability
SeaBot Maritime, University of Plymouth Sign MoU to Advance Marine Autonomy Collaboration
have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking the start of a strategic partnership to advance innovation, research, and skills development in marine autonomy.The partnership focuses on three key pillars: developing and delivering training programs, advancing research in autonomous maritime systems, and preparing the future workforce to lead in the use of intelligent maritime technologies.It combines SeaBot Maritime’s industry-leading expertise in maritime skills development with the University of Plymouth’s world-class research and educational capabilities, which have helped
Teledyne Marine Awarded Long-Term Contract to Support REPMUS Exercises
.Contract Highlights:Long-term support for REPMUS exercises (2025–2028)Deployment and integration of autonomous marine vehiclesEnhanced UK-NATO interoperability and joint operational capabilitiesTeledyne Marine’s participation in REPMUS continues to demonstrate its leadership in unmanned maritime systems and its role in shaping the future of naval operations
US Navy Announces First Mine Countermeasures Mission Package Embarked on USS Canberra
to the Fleet a modernized and integrated MCM mission package that removes Sailors from the minefield and allows for the future retirement of legacy MCM ships,” said Capt. Matthew Lehmann, program manager of the LCS Mission Modules (PMS 420) program office.An integrated suite of unmanned maritime systems and sensors, the MCM mission package locates, identifies, and destroys mines in the littorals while increasing the ship’s standoff distance from the threat area. Embarked with the MCM mission package, an LCS or a vessel of opportunity can conduct the full spectrum of detect-to-engage operations
NOAA Chooses OPT for Uncrewed Maritime Systems Services
(OPT) announced the award of three separate Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Multiple-Award Contracts (MAC) from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA has selected OPT as one of several Multiple Award IDIQ contract holders to provide Uncrewed Maritime Systems (UMS) Services to NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO), Uncrewed Systems Operation Center (UxSOC). According to OPT, these contracts have the potential to result in millions of dollars of revenue for OPT, and the ordering period is set to span three years, starting
US Navy Awards Leidos Unmanned Vessels Contract
this important work and providing new capabilities at the tip of the spear.”“This task order starts an important phase in the Navy’s evolution of USVs and integrating them into distributed maritime operations,” said Dave Lewis, Leidos Defense Group senior vice president and Maritime Systems operations manager. “The power of this technology lies in its ability to operate independently and extend the horizon of crewed ships. We look forward to supporting the Navy as they continue this important journey into the future.”Leidos has delivered four operational medium-sized
Unmanned Maritime Systems Development Accelerates
for a full review of all of these events, but briefly, these include S2ME2 ANTX, the Bold Alligator series, Valiant Shield, Dawn Blitz, Steel Knight, Valiant Shield, Trident Warrior, Coastal Trident, the Integrated Battle Problem series, and many others.In just the last year alone we saw International Maritime Exercise, Autonomous Warrior, NATO Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping Maritime Uncrewed Systems, Digital Horizon, Fifth Fleet Cutlass Express, Digital Shield, Integrated Battle Problem, and BALTOPS, among others.While it is difficult to single out one exercise as emblematic as one that has
December 2025
