Ocean Robotics Planet Magazine Issue 43: Events Calendar & Welcome to Ocean Robotics Planet - COMET by RTSYS: A Dual-Use AUV that Redefines the Rules of Underwater Exploration - BlueWhale: A True Submarine Force Multiplier - Subsea’s Best Kept Secret: Advanced Navigation’s Subsonus USBL2 Empowering the Tech Ecosystem - IVM Technologies in Full 3D: Revolutionise Your Subsea Inspections - General Oceans Empowering Defence Capabilities Through Advanced Ocean Technology - Poster: SRS FUSION ROV - MarineNav: North Atlantic Tough. Trusted Everywhere. - South Korea Says OK to HD Hyundai for Autonomous Vessel. Mariners Say Oh My! - Flexing Muscles: Norway Bulks Up Civilian-Military Co-Operation to Build CUI Security - The Cellula Robotics Toolkit for Safe-Guarding Our Vital Shared Assets Leveraging AI-technologies to Make Uncrewed Surface Vessels More Autonomous - Accelerating the Journey to Achieve a “Hybrid Fleet”. The Role of Innovative Science and Technology - Maritime Drones (USVs) in the Russo-Ukrainian War (2022-24) - Ukraine Lessons Learned in Drone Warfare

Former Ship Captain and Police Officer turned Journalist, Captain Marc Deglinnocenti, the North American Correspondent of the Ocean Robotics Planet Magazine was awarded 2nd place in the “Periodical Writing – Serious Feature” category from the Idaho Press Club.

An international team of scientists on a recent 35-day deep-sea expedition to one of the most remote island chains in the world observed thriving polar ecosystems, discovered new hydrothermal vents, coral gardens, and many suspected new species. The Ocean Census Flagship expedition aboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor (too) explored the South Sandwich Islands, including one of the coldest and most isolated submarine trenches on the planet, and also found evidence of explosive volcanism. This was the same expedition that filmed the first confirmed sighting of a juvenile colossal squid.

The rapid evolution of unmanned maritime capabilities is reshaping naval operations and accelerating the U.S. Navy’s efforts to integrate autonomous systems across every domain. In response to this growing demand for innovation, SAE Media Group’s 4th Annual Unmanned Maritime Systems Technology USA Conference returns to Arlington, VA, this September, bringing together senior U.S. Naval leaders, fleet operators, and key decision-makers.

Helsing, the leading European defence technology company, today unveils Lura and SG-1 Fathom to digitalise and defend the oceans. Learning from Helsing’s experience in the air and land domains, Lura is a software platform and advanced AI system developed from first principles to rethink maritime surveillance. The system uses autonomous mass that is sovereign, scalable and affordable to detect threats in the subsurface domain.

Fugro has been awarded a contract by the Norwegian Hydrographic Service (NHS) to support the 2025 MAREANO seabed mapping programme. For the first time in its history, MAREANO will use uncrewed surface vessel (USV) technology to acquire the data, with Fugro deploying its new 18 m Blue Eclipse® USV for the initiative. This innovative approach aims to advance the move towards lower carbon emissions in seabed mapping while ensuring high-quality data acquisition for the responsible management and preservation of Norway’s marine resources.

Vatn Systems, a leading defense technology company building autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for the US military and allies, along with commercial customers, today announced the launch of its new innovative AUV-torpedo product line, the Skelmir S12, and the opening of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, which is capable of producing up to 2,000 vehicles annually.

Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems’ marine electronics division ATLAS ELEKTRONIK is taking on the principal role in the GhostPlay@SEA research project as consortium leader in the development of new AI tactics for maritime defense. The company is contributing its extensive expertise in the maritime sector and playing a central part in the development of tactical artificial intelligence (AI) in the maritime defense industry.

DOF has announced an investment in a first of its kind, modular cable repair spread designed to transform how offshore wind operators respond to cable faults. Uniquely engineered for compatibility across our fleet, the system offers an industry-first combination of fleet-wide flexibility, road transportability, and rapid deployment capabilities.

Ocean services provider DeepOcean and its joint venture partners have taken delivery of a newbuild uncrewed surface vessel (USV), which will be utilised for subsea survey, inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) work across offshore energy industries.

Fugro has recently donated two EdgeTech Deep Tow survey systems to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia’s national science agency. This donation is part of Fugro’s ongoing support of global ocean science initiatives and aligns with its active role in support of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

In a little more than a week, Bekker Port in Tallinn will host Supply, Security & Defence Expo 2025, the first international expo bringing together key stakeholders from the Baltic Sea countries focusing on supply security, internal security and defence.

British advanced maritime technology company SubSea Craft (SSC) has unveiled a new Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) capability, MARS, marking the company’s second product offering following the success of its VICTA diver delivery platform.

Sonardyne International Ltd, a leading marine technology company based in Hampshire, is one of only two UK companies to have been awarded a pair of prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise this year; typically, less than a handful of UK companies achieve two awards in a given year.

Omega Subsea has awarded Norwegian ROV manufacturer Kystdesign a major contract for 12 new remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), with deliveries scheduled for 2026. The companies have also entered into an option agreement for 10 additional ROV systems, with deliveries planned for 2027 and 2028. Of the initial 12 systems, eight will support various vessel and subsea operations for Solstad, while the remaining four are designated for undisclosed clients.

Leading independent subsea survey and inspection company Sulmara has reinforced its growing footprint by relocating to larger premises in Glasgow and Taipei, and opening a brand new office in Norwich, to support a global team which grew by 25% over the last year to 250 employees.

TMC (The Metals Company), an explorer of the world’s largest undeveloped resource of critical metals for infrastructure, defense, energy and future technologies, today announced that its U.S. subsidiary, The Metals Company USA LLC (TMC USA), has submitted applications for a commercial recovery permit and two exploration licenses under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) implementing regulations which form the U.S. seabed mining code.

The UK's National Oceanography Centre (NOC) has renewed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Royal Navy, reinforcing a long-standing partnership in marine science and technology. The MOU, which includes collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), the Ministry of Defence (MOD)’s science and technology organisation, underscores a shared commitment to fostering innovation and advances in autonomous and robotic underwater systems.