Saltenna Demonstrates Cable-Free Radio Links for Subsea Communication in Recent Paper
flexibility in system design. However, the practical value will depend on further characterization of achievable range, data rates, reliability and performance under different environmental conditions.The study does not establish that surface-plasmon RF communications can replace existing underwater systems. Instead, it identifies a promising propagation mechanism that merits further investigation and comparison with alternative wireless technologies. The authors also propose additional experiments to improve understanding of the observed phenomena and clarify the mechanisms behind the extended
Optics11, Saab Ink Pact on Underwater Defense
in the development of advanced underwater sensing and maritime security capabilities.The agreement establishes a framework for closer collaboration between the two companies, combining Optics11's expertise in passive fiber optic sensing with Saab's experience in defense technology, underwater systems and integration.As European nations look to strengthen maritime security capabilities amid growing concerns surrounding hybrid warfare and the protection of critical underwater infrastructure, the agreement reflects the increasing importance of collaboration between specialist technology providers
Nautical Reach Systems Launched to Advance Autonomous Marine Handling
, harsh and Arctic conditions.FERRI's marine and naval handling systems are used by international navies and installed on hundreds of vessels worldwide. Cellula brings 25 years of subsea engineering and demonstrated in-water performance, with experience delivering long-endurance autonomous underwater systems and integrating vehicles, payloads and operational support around each mission. Together, the companies will apply that combined expertise to engineer the connection between host vessels and autonomous platforms as part of the wider mission system
Handy Helpers: Electric Underwater Tools and Manipulators
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 expectation that inspection-class vehicles
The Power of Persistence
enables the mission-critical endurance necessary to maintain a persistent subsea presence.For years, the dominant underwater power paradigm has been stored energy. With their high energy density, scalability, and mature manufacturing base, lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries have been the standard for underwater systems for defense and commercial customers alike. But Li-ion’s long-standing dominance could be giving way as onboard energy production, in the form of hydrogen fuel cells, is steadily gaining traction.While a relatively new innovation for autonomous underwater operations, hydrogen fuel cells
SEABER MARVEL Micro-AUV Maps Beach for Littoral Reconnaissance
operational constraints.Combat divers offer high precision but are slow, cover limited areas, and face serious exposure risks in contested environments. Towed sonar systems provide better coverage but remain highly detectable from the surface and perform poorly in shallow waters. Small autonomous underwater systems improve discretion but rely on basic 2D sonar payloads and require frequent surfacing for GPS recalibration, preventing them from generating the high-resolution three-dimensional seabed models that modern operations demand.The MARVEL-3DSSThe SEABER MARVEL micro-AUV measures 12 centimeters in
KONGSBERG, DRASS Partner for Underwater Solutions
of technologies, systems, payloads, and operational architectures, combining the companies’ complementary industrial strengths, technical expertise, and operational experience to develop advanced underwater solutions.“Our goal is to develop highly capable, scalable, and interoperable underwater systems that meet changing operational and defense needs. This includes unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) solutions, and manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T),” says Espen Henriksen, Senior Vice President Uncrewed Platforms at KONGSBERG
Saab UK Hosts Youth STEM Challenge
event took place at Saab UK’s center of excellence for underwater robotics, which officially opened in February 2025, supporting global offshore and subsea operations. Hosting the competition offered pupils rare insight into a working engineering environment and the people behind cutting‑edge underwater systems
Automatic docking as an enabling technology for the operational autonomy of underwater systems
For a long time, the operational autonomy of underwater systems has been constrained by the inability to ensure persistent operations without direct human intervention. Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), while capable of carrying out pre-programmed missions along the water column or on the seabed, have historically required physical recovery at the end of each operational cycle for energy recharging, data transfer and mission reconfiguration.This dependence on surface operations has represented one of the main bottlenecks in the development of long-term marine observation infrastructures, significan
August 2026
